It is both interesting and understandable how writers fixate on word count when producing longer works of fiction. What else is there by which to measure them? And it’s a useful boasting chip! I know I’ve referenced word count in this diary to demonstrate progress.
But the thing I find more meaningful is number of pages. So rather than use a default A4, I always draft my longer fiction (on the computer) in the same format as the likely paperback i.e. page size and font. That way I know how physically long a book is likely to be.
All of which means that I can confidently say that yesterday “C” reached page 171 of the draft. At this stage I usually add between 2 and 4 pages per day. Maybe I’ll use page count in future to keep you updated.
What else? Well the Crash rehearsal went well: “we’re nearly there” said Andy afterwards. I’d struggled to get started yesterday because of the lingering ‘man flu’, but once I hit my straps he said it was the best it had been. A good place to be with just over six weeks to go.
The ‘Write-on Ripon’ group was fine (I read a nearly-finished short story called “The Next Bond Girl”), and along with that spent a little time on one or two other things, nothing dramatic. Oh, and a copy of a rhyming dictionary turned up. I’ve never used one before; might just help with Villanelles!
As far as today is concerned, more “C”, perhaps that Villanelle, a little of the third part of the trilogy started by Crash.
A few weeks ago I joined the Society of Authors. I have my first meeting today: an on-line get-together for new members. Not sure what to expect from the SoA. I know they offer a variety of tools and events (I’ve one tomorrow p.m.), and I’m hoping this afternoon’s session will help fill-in some of the gaps.
Talking of drafting, I often have a nostalgic / romantic hankering for writing things long-hand – even though my handwriting is nowhere near as neat as it used to be! Having said that, the only things I do tend to draft long-hand are poems (occasionally) and entries in my writing journals/notebooks (always). I find the immediacy – and inability to edit – critical for authenticity in the latter.
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Ian Gouge - Writer 