First Draft complete!
I’ve written a book!
Actual shot of my printed first draft. Story is on the dark (ish) side. Photography even darker!
The first draft of A Scream in the Woods is complete. I only started it on the first of August, so in 52 days I’ve managed to write a 74k first draft. I cannot believe that I’ve actually done it. Thank you Camp NaNo for giving me the incentive to write another novel. 
I wrote three novels back in the early nineties and then stopped writing. For years I didn’t write anything, fiction related at least. At the back of my mind I’ve always been dreaming up new stories, I am a piscean after all, but nothing flowed onto page.
Then I started writing my crime novel in 2005/6. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it again. That I still had enough focus to plan and write another novel. In fact, now that I’ve finished A Scream in the Woods, I’m going to tackle the third draft of my crime novel. I will spend the next week setting everything in place in Scrivener so I’m ready to roll.
During this year I’ve set myself some challenges and one of those was to take part in one of the NaNoWriMo competitions. Again to prove to myself that I have it in me. The chance to work on more than one story at the same time also appealed. Nothing better to distract myself than another story. And, it keeps the old grey cells working.
So, A Scream in the Woods is backed-up in forty different locations (I jest. Saved in about seven drives and backups) and printed and pushed into a drawer for a while to let the story ferment in my head. Notebook’s at the ready for any changes, ideas and research.
I NEVER thought I would be able to write a draft in such a short period of time. If you want to kick-start a new writing project, I recommend competing in a NaNoWriMo competition. Go on. What are you waiting for?
Filed under: Camp Nano, E-Book, Novel In Progress, Writing | 40 Comments
Tags: CAMP NANO, Crime fiction, Fiction, National Novel Writing Month, Scrivener, Writing
Hello and welcome to my blog!
My name is Pete and I decided to start blogging to track my progress as a writer. I recently completed a Diploma in Creative Writing and it's spurred me on to get my work published.
I write short stories, Flash Fiction and some scripts. My main focus at the moment is a Crime Fiction novel. More on that as we go on.
I hope you enjoy.
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Congratulations Pete. As soon as it’s done I want to feature it on a Pinterest Board for you.
Thank you, David. I’d appreciate that.
Great news. Aged cheese is the best, why not novels and poetry books. Congratulations with meeting goals. Look forward to The Scream.
See my friend’s Scream art…
http://toni-hooper.artistwebsites.com
Thanks, Bettye. And for the link. Some great work in there.
CONGRATS, PETE!!! So exciting!
Thanks, Belle. First part of the journey is always a sweet one.
Oh, excellent! Congrats! I’d been starting to wonder if the manuscript ate you.
It was close for a minute, but I defeated it
That is AWESOME! I know how great it feels. You can now check “write another book” off your to-do list.
Thanks, Robin. It does feel good and the story won’t leave me alone, which I hope is a good sign.
Congrats! I hope to follow in your footsteps very soon.
Thank you. Happy writing
I’m right there with you. I’ll be participating in NaNoWriMo in November to work on my third book. This writing thing is certainly addictive!
Hahaha it certainly is. Good luck with NaNo
Hey, congratulations! That’s a huge achievement, especially in so short a time. Looking forward to reading it.
Thanks. I’m surprised I managed to write it in less than two months. Only a first draft, but I’m happy with it so far.
Congratulations. I hope you had a little celebration
Thanks, EllaDee. No real celebration. Just a nice relaxing sigh that the first part was over!
Congrats!!! Bettye Harwell referred me to your site. Aged art is fine art.
Thank you. I checked out your blog and like your work.
That’s really great, especially to do it so quickly outside of the NaNo support zone!
I am doing NaNo this year, I’ve been threatening to for a while haven’t I. Even though obviously I’ve heard many people people talking about it (or should that be – read many people writing about it?), it’s the things you have said about it that has mostly persuaded me to do it. Hope I can manage it, it’s quite a lot to fit in around my job and the kids and everything, but others who have as much on as me have managed it, so I can too…right?!
Thanks, Vanessa. If I didn’t keep up the intensity it would have dragged on into next year knowing me.
Happy to have persuaded you to do NaNo. I’m amazed at some of the things people do and still find the time to write. By comparison, I hardly do anything and I did have a couple of weeks off for the Olympics.
If it all goes pear-shaped you can shake your virtual fist at me
Congrats! If I have two working hands by November, I will be doing NaNoWriMo!
I hope your hands are ok. And, if they are in November, good luck with NaNo
It’s the broken elbow that keeps my writing hand bound up in splint. But i’m sure I’ll be fine by November–that”s a lifetime from now. Thanks!
Ow, ow ow. All the best with that healing. November is a long time away
Congrats on an amazing accomplishment. You are smart to put it away to breathe. I didn’t do that with my novel, and I made things worse. A. Lot. Worse. Ah well, the things we learn. Anyway, I’m hoping I can do NaNo in November, if I can get all my ducks in a row.
Thank you. It does feel quite a good achievement. A couple of months gathering dust and then the next draft. Good luck lining up your ducks and then with NaNo
I’m curious for sure.
Well done Pete. If you want to run any procedural questions through me when you come to revise, feel free (for free).
Thank you. I’m about to do the third draft of my crime novel and when I have finished my read through i will be in touch.
Congrats! I am going to give that a try some time soon.
Thanks. Best wishes with your writing.
That is a superb effort! Congratulations
Thanks, Ava. Seems like a long time ago already.
Congrats! That is great! I have had many drafts of my book while I wrote it. I have finished the writing, and I am currently editing all the way through. It is a big deal to say you have completed your first draft. I give you two big thumbs up!
Thanks for the two thumbs up
I’d say happy editing, but the two words don’t really sit well together do they?
Congrats Pete! Completing a manuscript is a HUGE accomplishment. And to do it in such a short amount of time is AMAZING. It’s good to let it breathe a bit before revisions. Glad you have other projects in your head to work on!
Thanks, Kourtney. I’m looking forward to the next round of edits. I think