Happy New Year!
I hope you’re all well and enjoying the first few days of 2013.
When I finished Camp NaNo and the first draft of A Scream In The Woods, I intended having a short break and then jumping head first into the next draft of my Crime Novel. The one I’ve been writing since 1954. Okay, slight exaggeration, but a long time.
I’ve never mentioned the title of this book even though it’s had the same one since the I finished writing the first page. The book’s called: I Can See You. It’s a police procedural set in my home city of Sheffield.
Anyway, I’ve not written or edited a single word in the last three months. Well, it is now time to rectify that.
I think I leave too long between drafts. 😉 I finished the first draft back in 2006 and only started the second draft last year, so it was more a total re-write. This time around is more like a proper second draft so hopefully it won’t take me as long. PLEASE DON’T TAKE TOO LONG!
I started on the 2nd of January and have finished the first 3.5k and am into the second chapter. I am a tinkerer and will find it difficult not to keep tweaking the text, but I’m already a lot happier with the start of the book. If I can keep editing the next chapter and stop revisiting what I’ve already done I should be okay. Should.
I’m using Scrivener again. I copied the book over from Word into Scrivener and have set up each scene on their own tab. I think I’ll find it easier to break the editing down into bite-sized chunks.
2 scenes down. 84 to go!
As far as plans for 2013 go, I have the same three I set last year.
- Read more
- Write more
- Maintain my weight
The READ more sets a target of another 24 books for the year. Technically the same number as last year. I’m not doing a reading challenge, but I will continue to read different genres as I enjoyed the variety last year.
The WRITE more is addressed by starting the next draft on I Can See You and then a second draft on A Scream In The Woods. If everything goes according to plan I might take part in a NaNo, either Camping style or the full-on November option. Glutton for punishment or what!
Maintain my weight is pretty self-explanatory. My Curly Wurly habit needs to be kept in check 😉
I wanted to add a random picture so picked this one of Bourton-on-the-water. I lovely place in the Cotswolds just below the fabulously named village of Lower Slaughter, which has a place called Slaughter Woods. I kid you not!
What are your writing plans for 2013?
Pete Denton 
Good luck with the editing Pete. Hope too many curlie wurlies aren’t needed to keep you going though I’ll bet Santa left some in your stocking.
Thanks, David. Father Crimbo Claus left me a wheel barrow load of food (I think he is trying to fatten me up to sell me at Spring market)
Though I’ve nearly chomped my way through all that. 🙂
My goals are to finish The Locket Saga Volume 3: A Coward’s Solace, Write one short nonfiction book a month, and review as many of the books I read in a year as I can. In addition, I will continue to build my writing platform and my book marketing strategy.
They sound like good goals. I need to start thinking about a book marketing strategy. Maybe finish the next draft first 🙂
That is indeed a bit of a stretch between drafts. 🙂 Though your writing probably grew exponentially so there was a massive rewrite. Great goals for 2013. I plan to shop another manuscript around. Self-pub a novel. And maybe draft another book. 🙂 And more reading.
I’m looking forward to reading your self-pub’d novel. Good luck with the goals for 2013
I like your attitude, you’re sounding really upbeat and positive.
For me, 2013 is going to be worlds different than 2012 now that I have a year of blogging experience and I know how dangerously addictive it is!! I will not let it take up my writing time this year, so that’s a big goal for me.
I think you’re smart to keep your resolutions small and tidy. Less room for error and excuses. 😉 Good luck and here’s to a successful, happy and healthy 2013.
Thanks. Happy and healthy are always good first choices 🙂
Man Pete, that is some good dedication. Writing a story since 1954, I need to stop my whining. I’ve been writing mine since 2009.
You’re just playing at it. Come back and seem me in 2067!
lol
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