June 2023 in writing
In June, I finished writing the first draft of the 2nd POV character’s arc, and started on the 3rd and final POV character.
I’ve written 77 of 97 outlined scenes; 41 1/2 of 48 outlined chapters. I averaged a little over a scene per day. At my current pace I will finish up the first draft by ~July 20.
2nd POV lessons The story was a little too disjointed in the second POV.
May 2023 in writing
In May, I finished writing the first draft of the main POV character’s arc, and started on a 2nd POV character.
First Draft Progress I’ve written 45 of 97 outlined scenes; 23 2/3 of 48 outlined chapters. I could try to power through and finish the first draft by the end of June, but life is rearing its head: jury duty summons, a family vacation, concerts, plus the Diablo 4 launch.
First POV complete
Today I finished the first draft for the first POV arc.
(That means my overall first draft is ~1/3 finished. My previous analogy of Pulp Fiction is somewhat inaccurate. A better analogy might be Cryptonomicon, if I finished the modern day arc and wanted to go back to write the 2 main World War 2 arcs later.)
I’m pretty happy about it.
Safe ally I dropped the protagonist in the middle of a conflict ridden world.
Thoughts while drafting
By the end of the month, I will finish the first draft of one of my POV characters’ scenes, from the opening scene to the denouement. (One of three POVs, so the first draft will be 1/3 complete. Think writing Jules’ and Vincent’s briefcase arc, from Royale with Cheese to the final diner scene, and leaving the Marsellus Wallace’s Wife and The Gold Watch arc scenes for later. Though my book is not quite that non-linear.
April 2023 in writing
In April, I finished my outline for Book 1.
Detailed outline I weaved the rough scene list into ordered chapters and expanded the one-sentence description by specifying
location; season; the list of characters; a general summary of what happens; the ideas and questions I have for the scene; (sometimes) the scene – goal, conflict, and setback; (sometimes) the sequel – reaction, dilemma, and decision; (sometimes) the hook and cliffhanger. While writing those scene details, I identified and fixed a number of serious problems with the story.