*Slinks quietly into the room, tail firmly between legs*

Well, that was an interesting bit.

The frenzy was upon me. That is, the frenzy to cross stitch.

So, no, there isn’t much progress on my book.

However, I did write for about a half hour today. As always, YOWEE!!! was that fun!

The Island‘s first draft is sitting at about 35 000 words. I estimate I’m a third of the way through. I’m also finding that the plot – certain scenes, additional characters – is gelling, so it’s quite easy to slip back into just writing.

The book is a paranormal fiction tale set on an Island. The first section is a bit of a preamble and sets up the locale and some key history. The next section is all about the denizens of this Island. Each chapter is told from the perspective of a different character – their hopes, dreams, and experiences in this remote community. The third section is a novella – it’s told from the perspective of a single character, and there is a cataclysm that was set in motion, that all the characters we’ve met will play a role in facing down. Finally, there is one character who we will revisit as the new normal settles in, so we know how things have changed, and how they haven’t.

I am beginning to think that this rather unusual format (which came about because this was supposed to be a series of short stories. That didn’t work) was perhaps on the ambitious side for a first serious attempt at writing a long piece. For the record. But I’m in it knee-deep and I can’t give up now!

I’ve lined up about three masochists – I mean, beta readers – so far. It will be awhile before I have anything to show, but just knowing that my various aunts/cousins/friends are eager to support me by subjecting themselves to reading an unfinished project is thoroughly heartening. So let me be clear: I am encouraged by how willingly these volunteers have thrown themselves on their swords. That they feel any excitement about my aspirations touches me to my soul, and to be so eager to help, well, I don’t want to let them down.

So, I’m resolving to write every day – I like this book. I like where it’s going. I like how quirky its characters are turning out to be, and how I can hear echoes and influences of some figures from my past therein. I am terrified – that I won’t be able to do the story/the characters justice, that I can’t produce the kind of story that engages me, that I’m not going to be able to write well enough to release, well, anything! But I have the support of people who know me, and that’s enough. I’m not giving up or giving in to my nerves.

I’m also resolved to improve at this blog. It’s reasonable to commit to a blog entry every two weeks: expect to see a progress report during the first week of the month, and, in the third week of the month, a more content-driven entry. (I expect that, at first, it’s likely to be a review or discussion of something I’ve read that’s really struck a chord. I hope that, as I get more into this writing thing, I’ll have more to give! In a perfect world, I’d have some short stories, or sneak peeks at works in progress, but I’m not there yet).

Also, I’ve really missed Cream Earl Grey Tea! (I’m only allowed to drink it when I’m writing. The idea is to connect one habit – making tea – with writing so that I feel the urge to write when I smell the tea. I’ve been very good about denying myself this since I last wrote).

On that note, it’s past my bedtime and I still have about a half cup of tea to enjoy, so I’d best be off. Although the road to hell is paved with good intentions, I expect to be back in touch in two weeks (approximately!)

In the meantime, I wish you and yours a safe and happy 2018!

Elizabeth.