Word count -- BLACKOUT.: seanan

Word count -- BLACKOUT.

Words: 10,842.
Total words: 61,647.
Reason for stopping: finished chapter thirteen. It's time for dinner.
Music: random shuffle, an enormous amount of Glee.
Cats: Alice, on the guest room bed; Lilly, loafed up on the cat tree; Thomas, parts unknown.

So no, I didn't manage to hit 70,000 words before the invasion descended. But I did manage to break 200 pages in the manuscript, a landmark which came solidly in the middle of a very grim, very tense scene that was both hell and extremely exciting to write. All my chickens are coming home to roost, which is exactly what needs to happen with a book of this sort, and yet is still very satisfying to see actually happen.

I've set up a little tracker in my .txt file, the one that I pass from machine to machine as I track all the junk and links and random things that build up in my life. This one compares my current word count to the "must be at least this tall to ride this ride" word count (IE, "how long the book has to be"). I'm aiming for between 140,000 and 150,000 words. Right now, I'm right on track. That is both amazing and terrifying.

I'm starting to feel like this book may actually put paid to everything. It's crazy, but it's true.

I think I can do this.

biguglymandoll

March 23 2011, 02:12:53 UTC 6 years ago

New comment

Sweet! Can't wait for more; and HECK yes you can do this, you 'about-to-be-Hugo-winning NYT bestselling author' you! ;-)

seanan_mcguire

March 23 2011, 02:35:08 UTC 6 years ago

Awwwwww.

Thanks. :)

catsittingstill

March 23 2011, 02:22:40 UTC 6 years ago

:-) It's a great feeling, isn't it?

March 23 2011, 02:35:19 UTC 6 years ago

It's bizarre, that's for sure.

phoenixrave

March 23 2011, 03:36:55 UTC 6 years ago

I feel silly commenting on book 3, when I'm sweating the days until I can see book 2! Grin. But then again, I'm a silly person!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Thank you, for working, sweating, saving, splurging, working more, and everything else that you do to put IMMENSE joy in our lives. We love you for it.

March 23 2011, 18:20:23 UTC 6 years ago

On the plus side, the comments help to keep me writing! My psyche is a weird place.

brightlotusmoon

March 23 2011, 03:45:53 UTC 6 years ago

I'm aiming for between 140,000 and 150,000 words. Right now, I'm right on track. That is both amazing and terrifying.

My own book is looking like it might hit those numbers by the time it's done. Maybe that's why I'm scared of finishing it. Books of that size are daunting. (No matter how often my husband declares them "light meals.")