The Journey To A Published Novel

That isn't a title to beg for adoration, respect or love. I'm not here for instant recognition or even gratification. I don't want millions of followers, all for the sake of a picture of the crack of my arse. It's like everything in life, when you're starting out. No one cares. Who am I? I'm not an authority on any subject. Not even ones that examination boards may have certified me against. Much of that is attributed to some loosely based focus on the chosen subject for two weeks to embed surface knowledge and scrape through an I.T. exam. Trust me. I do not consider myself special, entitled or deserving of anything. That's why I'm so content with my position in life. As long as I'm creating what I want to create, whether that be music, words, poems or a novel. It's a long and slow task, but it's fun and I enjoy it. That really is enough for me. I'm still on the second draft, not much has really changed in that regard. Can't rem...

Well....I haven't finished! I've finished the story, sure. That though, isn't the end. In terms of words, I'm at 131,034 - this is already the second draft. Word count remains relatively insignificant to me personally. This keeps on increasing and decreasing, either are fine with me. Much of my time is being taken up with reading, editing and adding in everything that I feel necessary to move it forward. I haven't been religious in the pursuit of updating this blog because well I'm trying to get the 'work' done. I'm not though referring to this as work. It's enjoyable but I don't  want to be one of those people who 'just talks' about things. Usually, I will admit myself when I say I'm going to do something. I do it. Which I've kept up with thus far in my life. It's been one hell of a journey so far. I said from the beginning that I hoped to get it completed by September this year. That would then be a year and ...

It's never easy to remain quiet. My mind might race. You can sneak up behind me and rummage through my endeavours. I'll change the password. I'll shield the screen. Two Factor authentication. You'll never infiltrate my dreams. The question is and remains what though have you achieved? Is a measurement of success a University Education? Is it a successful marriage? Curried goat and perfectly cooked rice? Is it 150 pages or 116637 words? Consider it again, what have you achieved?   What though have you achieved? Locked away from the world. Locked in a vacancy. John Hughes always says everything so much better than I ever could. What though is it that you've achieved? A lasting legacy . A family secret recipe . Focus on the task.  Concentrate on the carton. For only if it's orange juice. Extra Pulp Extra Pulp, pulp fiction... read all about it. So, I've had time to complete the first draft. I'm on to the second. Edi...

William's Wish Wellingtons. It's been a while. The last update being back in February. A lot has happened since then. I have now changed jobs. I start very soon. It's a similar role just within a whole new company and not as far to travel. So, I hope that remains a positive. I am grateful for the opportunity, so we shall see. I guess my lack of update has been a conscious decision. I found that I was updating this blog and Instagram far more than I was writing and editing the book. It became a big distraction. I am the last to claim that I am a professional but I have to work at this passion and by ending my affiliation with social media for a period of time did help me focus on what I was trying to achieve. Which I believe can only be a good thing. I don't want to be a pretender. I hope you understand just how much of a choice I don't have in this. It will happen! I have managed to finish or..... complete - is perhaps a better word; the 1st draft of the nove...

This may well be a worthy time to provide an update. You may not even be interested. Put simply, laid out with honesty. I'm struggling. I'm not struggling to create. 'Struggling' may even be far too much of an exaggeration. I think I've reached a point where I'm confused. At this stage, I haven't been going back over what I've already written. I know the story and its structure so far. However, I think because I'm working on upwards of 80,000+ words. I'm worrying too much about how the book is going to read or at least how it will be read.  Before, I wasn't concerning myself all too much with the structure. I was just writing. I think I'm now considering editing before I've even finished. It feels as if I'm jumping ahead. I'm not sure how I would identify that or avoid that other than to stay patient with it. That though is and remains frustrating. Placing too much pressure on myself will only have a negative outcome. ...

I wouldn't describe it as hitting a wall, it's not that drastic. I titled it 'lag' as it may go some way to describe often how lost you can feel or how I can certainly feel when thinking about the expansion of your story. It can lay out baron and boundless expanse, filling you with fear and dread, questions and ponders. How on earth, will I fill this emptiness?   Then, like I've suggested before - when reality shunts you. Frustration doth cometh.   It's more of reality coming along like Jo Brand and bellowing at me with distractions of life and subsequent living. "Have this bit of warming distraction and now focus, I dare ya. I dare ya!" she says with titillated venom. I've needed to sit down. Silent. Alone and distinctly focused on words and narrative. I have been making notes a plenty, using notepad..... other text editors are available, obviously! Not only by computer but age old paper and pen. The points of interest, sparks of m...

I've continued to write. I write daily. I haven't updated this blog in a while because as I suggested  previously I don't want this or my words contained herein to suggest that I was 'playing' or 'living a lie'.  I did not want my words to sound or appear boastful. Moreover, I simply wanted to document where I was within writing this novel. Furthermore, hopefully, if at all possible provide suggestions, guidance or give some value to others who perhaps were embarking on writing their first novel, poem, prose, article or whatever. I don't attest to be an authoritative voice in any shape or form. I only know my intentions and I hope they might go some way to inspire. My word count continues to increase. As I've alluded to previously. At this stage I am merely working on the first draft. I suppose the real content, tone and personality of the story based on the central character Dylan will become more apparent within the rewrite. ...