Diary of a Novel - Weeks 5-6

I've been scratching my head a little, wondering what to say since each week is pretty much the same. Then it dawned on me that there are several elements involved in that sameness. So, during this long haul of a first draft, I'll chat about those. First off, though, is how my day is divided...

Generally, just before I go to bed at night, I look over my outline to see the next scene for the day. I don't worry or fret over it, but just use it as something to play with to help me go to sleep. The next morning, lying in bed, I review any ideas that I might have had.

Then, after getting everyone off to school and work, I go out to our little orchard, hang with the Lord about 45 mins (reading, praying, and worshiping), go back and check my e-mail, and when I can't find any other excuse, I start out by rewriting yesterday's scene (which I thought was OK, but isn't). This can take 1-2 hours.

I take a break, usually go on brisk walk (I hate running) and think over the new stuff one last time. Then, like it or not, I jump onto the new stuff. Again, another couple hours. If it's going well I finish and break for lunch. If not I'll return to it and finish it after lunch. (So far we're talking 4-5 hours).

Then a nice little power nap (20 mins on the floor of my office) and the final session . . . going back and fixing what I fixed yesterday but after rereading still needs lots more fixing.

This usually brings me to 5 or 6 PM where I hang out with the fam. Then, when they're doing homework or numbing their brains on TV, I'll go off somewhere and read a research book, or go out to coffee and mentor one of the college kids from church.

That's pretty much it. May not sound exciting. Then again, all the adventure is happening in my head.

Blessings,
bill
www.Billmyers.com