Trying Something New

Random Writing Progress of the Week: I think this week's word count has been negative. I'm in the middle of editing and to maintain pacing and interest I've been slashing chapters viciously. Not just slashing, but there was a lot of word-murder this week.


Random New Thing I'm Trying This Week: Pausing to edit before I finish the draft.

I'm a big believer in finishing a full draft before editing. That's what I've always tried to do. The downfall is that a full 80,000 word draft can be just a little overwhelming. There's almost too much information, at least for me.

So with this draft I'm pausing to edit while I work on the draft. Not stopping completely, but slowing down long enough to tidy up some inconsistencies, check my spelling, and make sure that I didn't waste 3,000 words repeating myself.

Believe me, it could happen.

The result so far is nine cleaned chapters in under two weeks. I feel the opening of Twisted Metal is solid. And I'm learning how to edit effectively. I really need this.


Random Overused Term of the Week: "warm smile"

I didn't realize this until I started editing chapter six through nine but every smile from one character is "warm". I'm not sure I know what that means. How is a smile warm? Flex a muscle, okay, that generates friction and heat. But warm? Really?

Every smile was described the same way. It's apparently my fall back body language and it needs to die. I'm going to spend some quality time with the emotion thesaurus this weekend trying to figure out how to make the body language right.


Random Good Book of the Week: I read Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book this week and loved it. I'm also rereading Jack Campbell's Lost Fleet series for enjoyment and to see good sci-fi done well. I like how Campbell builds his relationships and characters without describing them much.

Two very different styles of writing, but both very good.


So.... What's your random?