1722 words...or 7.3333333 pages

Yeah, that's what I finished tonight in the business book. Not shabby at all, if I say so myself (even though the words are blending together as the evening wears on).

I have to admit I'm liking this writing a lot. I love research, love nonfiction, love being told what to do (in writing but not in life, as I'm sure my mother would agree..lol). With this wonderful :) outline I've already created, it's a hell of a lot easier than writing fiction. I know where I'm going, where I've been, and what I'm forgetting as I'm going. Since my first 20K words (about 80 pages) is due December 17th, sitting around procrastinating about whether or not I use the word "types" or "kinds" for three days in the name of writing perfection really isn't an option. I just sat down and started typing.

Took a break about three pages into it for a shower, and came up with the perfect first line for the next topic. I like how that worked. And if I get stumped by a word or phrase I know is buried in my subconscious or on the edge of my brain, I'm just putting it into parenthesis. It'll be there when I come back to edit, but more importantly, it keeps me from stopping.

Weirdly, I'm doing OK so far writing the rough draft on the computer. I did take the four big topics of chapter one and outline them in depth in the notebook, my hurried scribbles indecipherable to anyone, including me at times, but hey--it's working.

Ok...off to bed to dream of words and headings...only 64K words to go....

she liked it!

So I sent in the first assignment for my new book deal today--the outline of the table of contents.

I was a little nervous as the editor specified she wanted the TOC as well as a summary for each chapter. My brain doesn't work like that: I write extremely detailed outlines. (thanks, Mrs. Frere!) So I sent it in as it was, no summary, only detailed details with a note to the editor that I'd be glad to write an additional summary if she wanted (I wouldn't be glad but the nice Beth made me say that).

The editor emailed back to let me know she'd gotten the TOC--and it was great. Gave me the go-ahead to work on the book as the TOC says and to send her an invoice for the work. Way cool.

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TOC Rough Draft Down, Book to go....

First update on the work-for-hire:

Just finished writing the table of contents. Longhand, of course, as we all know (and care..hahah) that longhand helps me think better.

Must have been thinking a lot as the TOC ended up being about 12 pages long. I've got two of 'em (pages, that is) typed up...through about chapter 5 so far, and only with headings and subheadings, no details (yet). Trying to cram it all in tonight as I'm heading to my niece's wedding tomorrow out of town and plan to do absolutely no work at all.

Since the TOC is due Weds, this is pretty in-advance for me. I must admit the topic matter wasn't as interesting to me when I bid on the job but the more I read (three research books), the more interesting it is.

Now if just those 85K pages would come as easy....

Off to type....

she said yes...

....to that work-for-hire the editor offered.

Call me crazy but I just want to see if I can do it. Write a book (nonfiction) on a topic (cleaning) I know little to nothing about (all research provided) in a ridiculously short period of time (90 days).

Sent in the contract. Sure, the money isn't great, but if I put my behind in the seat every day and crank out 810 words a day (between 3-4 pages) I'll have it done by the February deadline.

If not..well, we'll get to that. I'm just now about 1/3 through creating the table of contents (darn, doesn't count toward the 65K word count), so I'm still going strong.

hmm...writing...or...breathing?

You'd think that since I haven't blogged my writing progress lately that there hasn't been any.

You'd be mostly right.

Picked up a nasty chest cold early last week and unfortunately, cold and sinus medicine do nothing to up the creativity or energy levels. I know writers are supposed to persevere through everything for the sake of writing but I must admit here that being able to easily breath and not cough up a lung trumps being able to write...

So now that I'm sorta getting better (less fever, more energy, less coughing), I'm writing again. Maybe I just needed a little out-of-my-mind break (love those dreams I have on cough medicine LOL).

Tonight I added to my story. All totaled it's now 6 solid pages and comes in at just over 1400 words. It ain't a novel yet but it's still pulling my interest so I'm happy with that. For now. Until the Nyquil is out of my system, anyway....