So, regarding the book I’m writing…I’m super excited about this because of the fact that I’ve actually committed myself to writing my first full-length YA novel.
I can’t believe how easy it is flowing out of me. I just didn’t think it was possible. The expect word count has always made it so intimidating. I mean, 40,000-60,000 words is standard for a YA novel and that frightened me off for a long time.
But! With the guidance of a road map of notes pointing me in the direction I need to head and a list a mile long of characters and their traits, this story is writing itself. Good? Bad? I don’t know. What I do know is this…it doesn’t scare me anymore. It’s just a bit on the time consuming, self-doubting side.
I ignore the voices in my head. The ones telling me I’m dreaming if I think my ideas and words are good enough. Because, you know what? Those voices are bullies and I ignore bullies. They’re just sad, scared jerks.
If this story isn’t good enough to be published, than it won’t be good enough to be published. The important lesson, the one that I needed to learn, was simply that I CAN DO IT! I can write a story longer than a couple thousand words. I can create an entire world filled with characters that have been growing restless in my head.
So, with that being said…I’m at 21,000 words and still going strong. I might actually get the first rough draft out by the end of this month at the rate I’m going. This hasn’t been nearly as difficult as I had imagined it to be. In fact, the worrisome thing is, it’s been easy so far. All I have had to do is sit down, open the Word document the story is being stored in, and write.
My goal has been between 3,500 and 5,000 words a day. And I’ve been meeting that goal since this past Sunday.
Now my only concern is this…the standard is between 40,000 and 60,000 words but, at the rate I’m going, this book is going to be much longer than that. So, I figure, if worse comes to worse, it might have to be broken down into a couple books. I guess that’s not such a concern then, is it?
Whatever happens with this book, I can deal with. I’m just super excited because I love this whole story and the people coming to life within it.
And maybe, someday, instead of saying I’m an aspiring writer, I may actually get to say…that I wrote a book and it was good.
Because right now, I’m writing a book. And you know what? Aside from the fact that it’s going to need to be edited…this book I’m writing? It’s pretty darn good!
Jennifer says
Keep on writing, keep on writing, keep on writing…
Jennifer´s last blog post ..What I want you to know
Jackie says
WOO HOO!! Keep writing and before you know it you’ll be there!
Are you going to share excerpts here for us to read???
Jackie´s last blog post ..When I Grow Up