When I finished the re-write of chapter 15 my spreadsheet tracking tool told me that I had gone over the 50k words mark.
Yippee!
I know I’m sad posting a picture of my spreadsheet, but Shannon Howell posted something similar in an update about last month and I thought it was a good idea. Maybe next time I’ll add a chart 🙂
For pages and words I am 54% of the way through the re-write and 48% of Chapters are complete. The reason they are behind is simply down to longer chapters in the first half of the book. They shorten as we get towards the end to (hopefully) help build momentum.
So I am more than half way through and have written over 10k words so far in March. I will soon burst through the 200 page mark and I like being able to tick off the targets and milestones. I don’t know about you, but I get an extra shot of confidence the further I go into any project. Being able to see the finishing line is the best incentive.
When I started the re-write back in October I was determined to get to the end and now I am fully immersed in the story, I cannot wait to write the next scene and then the next one. (except when I take a short break to write a new blog post)
I don’t know whether it was my recent birthday or the fact that spring has sprung, but something seems to have clicked. I need to ride the wave all the way to the finishing line.
Talking of spring, I thought I’d share a photo of fresh bloom.
Pete Denton 
I can’t believe I have failed to ask you what your book is about! Well?
Thanks, Robin. My book is a British crime novel set in my home town of Sheffield.
Now that you say that, I do remember reading about it on your blog. Oops!
Don’t worry. I forgive you 🙂
I totally get it, I got really excited last night when I checked the word count of my first attempt at a novel, 9081 words! Still a long way to go but getting there
That’s brilliant. I like stats, there is comfort in them 🙂 Keep plugging away.
I have nominated you for a Versatile Blogger Award. I have really enjoyed reading your blog and I think you should get the well deserved recognition for it. And considering you gave it to me in the first place I think it is good thing that I give it to you now.
You can check out the rules for it on my site here:
http://asideofwriting.com/2012/03/12/versatile-blogger-award-number-two/
Thanks, Conrad. They keep piling up the old versatile blogging awards!
Thanks for the continued support.
Very nice spreadsheet. It’s not sad, it is very happy. 🙂
Thank you, Shannon. You’ve got to love spreadsheets 🙂
Yes, yes I do – I’m a statistician (although, if I’d realized how hard it is to type “statistician” I would have chosen another field).
Hello, Pete,
I love hearing the good news about your work in progress. Word counts are fun . . . I always check after a hundred pages go by (not very swiftly either, on my count) . . . and statistics do tell a tale all on their own. Oh: Happy Birthday too.
Thanks, Justin. Hopefully I’ll hit the 200 pages mark by the weekend. I do like to feel like I’m making progress and the more I work the more I want to work. Good luck with your writing.
Thanks for the birthday wishes too 🙂
I’ve kept up with the basic word count of the main book I’m writing, but I’ve never been that organized in keeping a detailed record. Congrats to you! I could not do that. I have so much to keep up with work and trying to edit. But that is me. Again, awesome!
Thanks, Rebecca. Sometimes I spend more time getting the periphery bits and pieces when I should be concentrating on writing, but I do like to be organised. Best of luck with your writing.
Hope the finish line is in clear view for you, Pete!!
Thanks, Joyce. I can see it and I’m heading that way!
You’re certainly right Pete about the 50K mark being magical. That’s all I think about when I’m writing, and after my few days break it seems so far away! (I always do a word count when I finish writing a section. It’s like compulsive checking!)
Congratulations 🙂 Spring does make things seem a bit brighter and sweeter.
It does, Ava. Good luck getting back into the swing of things and I hope your word count checking compulsions continue!
ride the wave Pete! 🙂
Thanks, Jeannie. I tried surfing once and didn’t have much success. Hopefully this will be better.
Hurrah! How will you celebrate that milestone then?
Thanks, Vanessa. I’ve celebrated by having the evening off and watching some football. Simple pleasures!
Back to start the next 50k tomorrow.
Great achievement, Pete.
Thanks. It feels good to have reached the milestone. I suppose the trick is to make sure the momentum continues.
Good to see a fellow writer making progress. I’m at 29k on mine, about a third of the way through. Good luck!
Thank you. I agree. I love reading other people’s blogs charting their progress. It inspires me to keep plugging away.
A third of the way through will soon be halfway 🙂 All the best with your book.
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Congrats! I like how you track everything and measure your progress. It must help you stay focused and on track.
Thanks, Kourtney. It does help keep me focused. Just clicked over the 200 page mark so another milestone hit.
Hey Pete,
You’re not ‘sad’ at all for posting that spreadsheet, I thought it was a cool idea! I am obsessive with tracking each word and every page on my first drafts, because like you said, it’s a total rush to accomplish important goals. You’ve inspired me to to start one of those babies to keep track my revision progress. Great idea!
And Happy Late Birthday! (Mine was on the 10th) 🙂
Thanks, Tina. Anything that helps me obsess about my writing gets my vote!
Thanks for the birthday wishes. I hope you enjoyed yours.
Way to go, Pete! I actually like your spreadsheet. I might have to do something similar. I like going back and seeing what I was doing. Helps me see what I did right and what I could have done better and also what my tendencies are. Always good to improve one’s game! Thanks for the post and go, go, go!