Only one week left!? I can’t believe it! I don’t want this marathon to end.
Last Word Count: 20, 738
Current WC + CC (or SC): 26, 858
WIP Issues this week:
Lack of direction. I’ve been struggling, and still am, with how much of a sci-if novel to make this versus how much of a quirky romance to make it. I’m trying to find the middle ground and consequently I’ve ended up with a lack of focus, a lack of drive for the plot as I spin my wheels and wait for that bolt out of the blue to tell me which way to go with this story.
What I learnt this week in writing:
I’m much better at action-orientated plot lines. Against-the-clock, must-achieve-x-or-die is my happy place plot wise and when there isn’t that sense of urgency, I worry that the story might be boring or the pacing too slow. I’m trying to use this knowledge to my advantage without turning this quiet, quirky novel into a sci-fi thriller.
I also managed to figure out how this story should end – I’ve got the final scene drafted – but I have no idea how to get there, which is both exciting and mildly annoying.
What distracted me this week while writing:
Getting ready for the presentation I’m doing next week at a library event. Eek! And all the normal life stuff like looking after a sick pup and mopping up doggy vomit at 4AM two nights in a row. Thankfully the pooch is all better now.
Last 200 words: Hm, the last 200 are a little too spoilery to share so here’s a snippet from a chapter before the one I ended on. This scene is between Raleigh, my MC, and his best friend Abigail.
“I’m leaving Dead Rock,” Abi says.
“What? When?” My heart wallops against my ribs as panic closes a choke-hold around my throat. Abi is my anchor, but I guess I’ve been her ball and chain.
“I should’ve done it years ago. I’ve got a cousin in California. I need a fresh start.”
“But – ”
“But nothing. It’s not like I’m going to Mars.” She pats my face. “I just can’t stand it here anymore. And it’s only a matter of time before I lose you too – one way or another.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I think you know.” She hugs herself and traipses out of the garden toward the parking lot. “Goodbye, Raleigh.”
If I close my eyes, I won’t have to watch her walk away like I watched dad head off to war, like I watched Madison walk down the aisle and Momma head off into the desert. I watched Weston that night too, stood silent in the shadows as he ran out of the house, away from my father’s fists and hateful words. I watched as he climbed into the truck and sobbed behind the wheel. I watched him drive away and knew I’d never see him again, as clear as I know I’ll never get to Mars, only this time I’m not going to let the knowing stop me from the trying – the way I should’ve tried to stop Weston from ending his life.
In this final week, I’m hoping to hit 30k.
How is your writing going?
