Two Spaces

I think it is a metaphor for my life. How can I get rid of the the extra space I learned to put in after the period from a very young age. I’ve been doing it for decades. How do we get rid of that wasted extra space in our lives? The thing that is not needed yet we do out of habit? At my writing class with David Farland almost 5 years ago several of the younger folks were having a conversation about how it was so obvious when something was written by someone older because of that extra space. Since that time I have endeavored to change that habit. Like most habits it has been a difficult transition. I am mostly there but it has taken constant vigilance to do so.

As an update, I produced my final outline draft by January 31st and I have begun working on my actual novel. Up until now I have been what is called a pantser, someone who does not outline and just puts words on the page. I’ve been taking writing classes for a long while now as well as meeting with other writers and talking writing stuff. I’ve felt like pantsing was not working for me so I’m trying something new. I think I’ll still do some of it but in general I want to start having a plan that helps me actually complete my novel, something that has always escaped me.

My goal by the end of March to have several chapters done. My outline is around 60 chapters and my updated goal because of outside chaos that happened in my life in December is to complete my first draft by the end of September.

On Track

I’m on track to have my final draft of my outline completed by January 31st, 2026. That feels pretty good for a pantser who has never outlined in his life unless we are talking college papers when it was required. The process is interesting and I think I can say that the process I’m developing is becoming more complex as I have more conversations with my peers and they help me put perspective on how all this can work. I don’t say should because it is different for everyone.

I’m still working through the side of this that sits with the ego. Can I do this? Am I capable? David Farland, who I will always consider my mentor, made me feel like if I want to write a book it will just take hard work but everyone is capable of doing it. I think he meant it not just with writing but with everything in life. If you want it, you just have to grab it. Work hard and it can be yours too. Sometimes I’m too much the dilletante and can’t focus myself. The last year has been an extraordinary time for me as far as focus. I’ve lost 40% of my body weight and completed my first outline for a novel ever. This novel has been in my head for a long time. I’m looking forward to finally get it out there with all the iterations it has gone through.

Into 2026!!

I’ve had to update my goal dates as December turned into a month of medical issues for a family member. This has had me pushing my outline date out to the end of January for my final outline draft. So, February 1st will begin the actual work on the novel. This will push the first draft completion date to the end of September 2026. I’m okay with this as is it is January 2nd and I’m back on the horse, which we’ll call Chance after a horsey character in the book. I’ve tried to listen to my muse while I got nothing done over the last month so I have a lot of ideas I’m hoping to incorporate.

Check In

I have completed the first pass of the second draft of my plotting for the book. This week will be a second pass of this draft with my final date for second draft which is due on November 28th, 2025. I will then give it a few days and begin work on the final draft of the plot. There are quite a few life events happening in and around December so I may need to adjust dates but so far I’m hitting my goals.

Second Draft Plotting Progress

It’s been a bit busy so far for the start of the month. I’m still trying to figure out how time goes so quickly. I have a November 28th deadline for my second draft of the plot. As of today I’m closing in on a third of the chapters detailed more fully.

Shout out to my writing groups for all of their ideas and support as well as my fellow writer and buddy, Teague. It really helps to have a group of people in the same head space.

Hoping the by the end of this week I will be about 50% through this draft.

Plotting Second Draft Begun

I’ve gotten my barebones plot together. Now it is time to begin on the second draft. Waiting on some feedback to also incorporate into this draft as well. Hoping this goes smoothly. I’ve given myself and end of November deadline for this draft. Final draft by the end of December. I will officially begin work on the new version of the book on January 1st.

I’ve settled on two main characters with some supporting important characters. The main protagonists will be Marcus Kardon and Miriam Lenore. Marcus is a squire to the King and Miriam is an assassin. We’ll see how those sparks fly!

Outline First Draft Complete!

I’ve finally completed my first draft of my plotted outline after making some major changes to what I was doing with the story. It feels like quite an accomplishment since I would say my heart is a pantser. I’m trying to lead myself slowly to a more organized method with some pantsing and a lot of plotting from now on.

I must say that meeting and talking with other authors is a critical step on the journey. Just hearing other ideas and talking them through with other people as passionate as yourself get the creative juices flowing.

At this point I can say a major enemy has been removed from the plot of this novel and will await later volumes. For now we will have a more down to earth plot to keep things a little more grounded.

My goal is to have a fully fleshed outline by December 31st, 2025. Having completed my first draft I’m feeling confident I can make that deadline but I will keep pushing myself to perform. It is amazing what I can get done when I get into the right flow state.

Lastly I’m after listening to some advice from the great Kevin Anderson, I’ve decided to start working on a long languishing horror project as well. The idea is to always have something creative to work on so that if I get blocked in on project I have another to jump into and work on to keep things moving. Since my fantasy project and my horror project have been percolating for a long

Magic? Ethics? Originality? Theme?

Working furiously on my magic system. I have been feeling that I haven’t put quite enough thought into my system of magic. Tonight was a freeform writing session trying to get to what I want and what I think I can get out of my magic system in my books.

What is the nature of my magic?

What are the ethics of my magic?

How original is my system of magic?

What is the theme of my magic?

How powerful, how robust, what are the downsides to doing it? Are there any?

These are the many thoughts I’m having to wrestle with so I can make this work with my story better. I don’t want it to be a crutch but I also don’t want it to be too simple.

What are you, who I hope will someday be my readers, thinking a magic system should contain and convey? Honestly looking for some feedback here.

Time Moves Quickly!

Somehow the last year has escaped me. Earlier this year I had surgery and since then I have lost a huge amount of weight. Getting healthier has taken a massive toll on my time and concentration. However it is now time to get back to it.

I’m trying to commit to myself to make more regular posts here but my main focus will be on continuing my first draft. The only issue with that being that I had authorial epiphany. The thrust of my first novel needed to be pared down. I am now replotting and reworking characters to fit the new design. This is not the simplest of choices to make but I felt it was necessary. I was front-loading to much “epic-ness” into the first novel and I could feel myself moving towards something unsatisfying.

So the rest of this year I’ll be working on the new plotting and adjustments. My plan and goal is to have the fully plotted novel by the end of this year. Next year will be my time to flesh all of the missing chapters and finish up a first draft. I just need a lot of scaffolding.

I hope everyone out there is doing well and I look forward to communicating more!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and family! To those who don’t celebrate Thanksgiving I hope you have as great a day as I am having.

As far as writing I am closing in on 17k words for NANOWRIMO. I’m into Chapter 24 with the entrance of a new character named Eric. He has a last name but my writing buddy told me the kind of resonance it had for him and now I have to change it. So for now we will call him Eric NoName.

This is the best progress I’ve had on my book in a year. It’s been a hard year but I need to realize that hard times will happen and not let it slow me down so much. I already write slowly so any extra slowdown and it has a huge impact on everything.

Again, happy day to everyone!