Writing Journal 2.25.2018: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (but I did have something of a breakthrough…)

Well, I thought I cratered out last month, but this probably tops it.

+341 words written.

Days writing: 1 out of 7.

Days revising:1 out of 7 for three total hours.

Daily writing goals met (500+ words or 30 minutes of revisions): 1  out of 7 days.

Now, my explanation.

As I mentioned previously, I was coming across a major scene – maybe one of the three biggest scenes in my book, a final confrontation between my MC and the powers that be at his college that serve as his kiss-off to his old life. Everyone, I have been stuck with a block on this.  I want it to be massive, a demonstration that he is becoming the independent, dominating personality that has been hinted at throughout the novel. I still need to keep remembering what Ernest said about first drafts (and what I often tell my students in less vulgar terms). I just need to get it on the page and move on to the revising process.

But I did come across a turning point in my plans for the book. Before, I told about the tale of me deciding on using a fictional setting (based in part on other towns/colleges) for my Texas-based setting. This weekend, as I considered all of the possible trademarking issues inherent in using a real club as a setting for the other part of this novel, I realized that I had to undertake a similar transformation for my MC’s club. That kicked off a long day of research, consulting with writers online, reviewing Wikipedia and tourism guides to get things set up. It was a wild process, and one I think is worthy of its own post (about world-building, asking how deep to go into it, and how much I do that with my own work).

So, that’s where I’m at now. I’m glad I finally posted something midweek last week; I want to try and make that two in a row this week. And, also, write at least a little more and get closer to reaching my goal of completing this first draft by the end of next month.

Will I make it? I do think I will.