50069 words.

*goes to bed*

As a followup to NaNoWriMo, there's ScriptFrenzy in June. Organised by the same people. And it's only 20k words. :-)

Well, that's it. First draft finally finished, clocking it an an unexpected 154112 words.

I have to admit when I started it at the beginning of last November, I had no idea it would take me so long.

So now a brief break.

And then, if I still decide that I like it, the second draft to look forward to. I can see hundreds of things wrong with; lots of bits that need smoothing, lots of rewriting and shoving around of plot and motivation (y'see, I didn't know what half the people were up to 'til close on the end). But the core of it's there, and now I think I know what the story's about I can actually go and write it. :-D

Hopefully, this time around, it'll take less time (and no, I'm not starting again from scratch! Life's too short for that).

Thanks to those who've been reading for your continued encouragement - without you lot, I'd either have given up by now or (possibly) would still be writing it by this coming November.

Off for a break now. :-) Time to slump in front of the TV.

Mostly writing.

One-and-a-half episodes on Friday, four-and-a-half on Saturday, six on Sunday. About another 10k words added.

And it's all finally beginning to wrap up. I'm at about 145k or so, and less than twenty episodes away from the end, I think. There's light at the end of the tunnel!

On non-writing related things - cinema visit to see The Good Shepherd. Far too long and drawn out, which wrecked what little intrigue that it had. What a shame...

Edit: Or, as overload74 says, "Maaat Daaaamoooon!"

I'm actually finding writing the current chapter quite disturbing.

Particularly in some of the research I'm reading. (I've sent you a copy, carnaaki, to your non-work address).

Sometimes I really wish my brain didn't follow through ideas to their logical conclusions.

120k

*slog* *slog*

Six episodes today. :-) Including part 1 of A Big Showdown.

114000 words...

Making up for lost time. :-)

I can feel the end, now, it's just around the corner...

But that's enough for one day, I think.

Well, it's getting boring to say this, but still going! Just passed the 100,000 word mark. And at last I'm beginning to see the shape of the end. Might be as much as another 20k words away, but at least I'm getting a feel for how it might all work and which loose ends need to be wrapped up.

I've been very slow the last couple of weeks - what with trade shows, being really busy at work, being really busy at home for reasons that escape me and then the upcoming office move. Next week's holiday will almost certainly put a dent in the verbiage as well - although you never know, I might have a ream of things to post when I get back thanks to time spent on planes.

Annoyingly for the next 5 days I only have one working eye (due to infection and therefore lack of lense) which is a bit of a strain when peering at the computer screen.

I was pleased, today, that I could read over large chunks of the text and neither wince nor feel I needed to edit lots. Obviously I do need to edit lots - this is the first draft - but the changes look like they're mostly going to be about structure and emphasis, so I'm not displeased with the actual writing. Which is nice. Oh, there are some words I overuse, but on the other hand I don't think you should try to use fifty-seven variants of a word for the sake of it when one would do, or it looks rather like you've eaten a thesaurus.

Anyway, that's all I wanted to say. I Will Finish This!

Well, that's some sort of landmark. 100 episodes - 95000-ish words.

Still not finished, tho', but I do have an inkling that the end is in sight. I even know bits about it - although I'm not quite sure what it is!

*sets up new mincer to squeeze the characters through*

...and on a similar subject, the NaNo people are running a similar event for scriptwriting next June. You can sign up to be prodded here: http://www.scriptfrenzy.org/

Those who have gone over the 50k limit - did you know that http://www.lulu.com will send you a free copy of your book, in paperback form? No strings attached - you don't have to sell the book through Lulu, you can still submit it to publishers (if that's what you want to do).

Just thought it might be a nice souvenir. :-)

Me, I'm still writing. 82k and onwards...

Edit: Oh, you have to take up the Lulu offer before 16th Jan...