- Words Written: 22,000
- Scenes Drafted: 13
- Total Progress to Draft 1 Completion: ~25%
Technically it's been a little more than a week - but it's my first weekly update so we'll call it that here.
For this first update, I'm sitting at just over 22,000 words for my first draft! It's exciting to get farther into writing a novel than I've ever been able to - Noesis died on the vine at about 10,000 words. My ritual of adding a bead to the jar pictured above for each 1,000 words is going strong. We're at 22 beads (18 silver for Act 1, 4 moonstone for Act 2) and 4 diamonds for particularly great writing sessions.
For craft updates and discoveries, I've realized that even when I plot extensively, sometimes the beats of the story shift organically through the drafting process. It was a bit scary to make adjustments to a plan I thought was set in stone, but moving the timing of a few scenes will help the tension between two characters build more meaningfully.
I've developed an unhealthy attachment to my new favorite writing candle - DS & Durga's 'Concrete After Lightning'. Maybe it's a life hack to have a special writing candle, or maybe it's going to be my Achilles' heel. I guess we'll find out soon enough! (Or - hopefully I can just keep one on hand indefinitely.)
Lastly, here's one tiny tidbit about my novel I'll give you (without giving too much away): I've made a playlist on Spotify called 'Training Montage' for a scene I just finished writing - Fire In My Heart by Escape from New York is my go-to track on there.
Next week - I'm aiming to write at least one scene a day. That, and fixing my sleep schedule. If I don't update you on my fixed sleep schedule, let's just pretend I never mentioned it.
With love,
Aven