So, um… I finished this round of edits on Bound. I got the book down under 108,000 words. Did I cut too much? Maybe. I guess I’ll find out next month, when someone new takes a crack at it.
I’m happy, really. I get giddy goosebumps over whole, huge chunks of this story, even after four years with it. I’m still in love after all this time. It’s just that I feel a little lost now. This was my focus all month. In November and December, it was re-drafting the sequel.
I don’t know what to do with myself right now.
Hang on.
There we go.
I know I’ll be back at this one in March, and there will be lots of work to do then. That leaves me with a month (give or take) to work on something else. And I want to work. I don’t want time off.
Re-write Resurrection? Maybe. It would be fun to try to get that out as a bonus around Halloween (though I hope to have Torn out in November, so maybe not). Outline book three? Perhaps. I know how it’s going to end (*sob*), and a few significant events (EPIC), but a lot of the middle is fuzzy. Start something completely different? I’m already taking Chuck Wendig up on this week’s flash fiction challenge. Fairy tales are kind of a thing around here, and I rolled a wicked combo (Cinderella + Urban Fantasy), so that’s been really fun. But that was only 1000 words, and only took a few hours. Once the editing’s done, that’s it.
EDIT: Posted! Right here.
It’s not that there’s nothing to do, it’s just that I don’t know what to do.
With myself.
Buh-dum.
WIPpet Wednesday
Per the revised rules, I can share the beginning of a new WIP. So let’s forget the math. Here are the first few lines of that flash fiction challenge project
–
“I never wanted this,” I whisper.
“I know.” He lifts my hair and unties the crimson ribbon he wrapped around my neck when he chose me. “That’s only going to make it sweeter.”
–
Yeah, that’s it. But never fear, I’ll have the rest posted tonight or tomorrow so I can get it entered. I don’t expect to win, but this has been a fun exercise. A thousand words is HARD, yo. There’s so much more story I could have put in there, but I think it works.
To see what the other WIPpeteers are up to this week, click here. Most of them will probably be more generous than I’ve been this week. I know our host KL Schwengel certainly has– pop by and check that out.
So…
Writing: Goal of finishing edits COMPLETED. Need to set new goal for February.
Reading: Speaking of Chuck Wendig, he re-tweeted me yesterday, so he gets to be next on my TBR list. I just have to decide whether it’s going to be Under the Empyrean Sky or Blue Blazes, as I own both.
Life: Saw the chiropractor again yesterday. Was good again. House is a mess… might take care of that now. Need to walk the dog, but it’s farking cold. Might start pilates again, if my back holds up. Getting bad about using my phone when the kids are around, need to work on that goal again. Speaking in incomplete sentences. Need to fix that.
Note to self: get back to work, find happy.
(Looking for more ROW80 updates? Curious about how to join in? Check this out…)
Thanks for stopping by! What are you up to today?
disregard the prologue 
January 29th, 2014 at 10:25 am
I know that feeling way too well. And I even juggle multiple projects. But getting to the end of an all-consuming one is…well…empty. It’s like when you know you have something to do but can’t remember what. Then you realize, you don’t.
But excuse me? And I quote, “I know how it’s going to end (*sob*)” *levels evil glare Kate’s way* What are you doing?
As for the WIPpet…awesome beginning. It definitely pulls me in and makes me want to read the rest.
January 29th, 2014 at 10:34 am
*evil grin*
You know my characters aren’t expecting a happily ever after. Some might, but I make no promises as to who.
January 29th, 2014 at 10:36 am
*insert scream heard from Wisconsin to Newfoundland*
January 29th, 2014 at 10:28 am
Finding happy is always the challenge. I’m stick with a school district meeting at the midday point, which always makes it hard to get into anything serious.
January 29th, 2014 at 10:33 am
Hard to get into any kind of flow, eh?
January 29th, 2014 at 10:52 am
Yeah. Not when I’m looking at the clock. Figure tomorrow will be better.
January 29th, 2014 at 12:30 pm
Oh man!!! What an opener! I’m right there wanting more, even though it’s gonna be painful.
January 29th, 2014 at 12:31 pm
It’s up. I couldn’t wait… figured I’d probably lose my nerve and not enter if I did. 😉
And thanks! I liked it.
January 29th, 2014 at 12:45 pm
It’s not that there’s nothing to do, it’s just that I don’t know what to do. – This is me, all the time. I even wrote out a calendar for this year to combat the problem. Except I keep changing it. I really should just work on one thing until I get it done, but I can never seem to stick to that.
Interesting start to the WiP.
January 29th, 2014 at 2:21 pm
Heh, sounds like we all agree with the sentiment of your theme song. *g* Which project now? is a common question I ask myself.
Great teaser, there, Kate. Definitely going to go read that one. 🙂
January 29th, 2014 at 2:22 pm
Hope you enjoy!
January 29th, 2014 at 2:51 pm
That’s some opener! I guess it needs to be for a story of only 1000 words, a couple of lines to hook readers immediately and it certainly does that. I’m intrigued.
I hope you decide on what to focus on next. Writing = happiness is cool. 🙂
January 29th, 2014 at 4:46 pm
If limiting your wordcount leads to snips like this… wow! Limits, limits, LIMITS!
That ‘don’t know what to do thing’ though… Goddess! We live that in my house. It’s gotten to the point where I’ve started acting on my husband’s “Do anything, even if it’s wrong”…. and sometimes it works.
January 29th, 2014 at 6:33 pm
I think it’s great that you still get goosebumps over a story after four years. I have one that I’ve been working on that long and sometimes part of me feels like, “Really? We’re working on this story again?” But once I get back into it, I remember why I’m still working on it: That story does have potential and the characters have a special place in my heart.
Great opening lines! So few words, so much crackle and electricity on the page. I’ll have to read the rest.
January 29th, 2014 at 6:36 pm
Since I’m in the middle of edits, I am looking forward to the lull of releasing them back to my editor. I need to get on my novella and book 3, but I’ve found I can’t write and edit at the same time (especially in the same day). My brain revolts!
Wishing you all the best with your revisions and whatever your brain settles on in between.
January 29th, 2014 at 7:09 pm
Yes – great opener. Once again blown away by such talent in our WIPpeterring group. Good luck with the comp – and I hope you find happy too.
January 29th, 2014 at 7:28 pm
Wow. Just … wow.
I love the detail with the ribbon, I love the smoothness of voice. So few lines and so much power behind them. Just wow.
January 29th, 2014 at 7:29 pm
Thanks! I appreciate that. ^.^
January 30th, 2014 at 2:20 am
Ooo… sinister. At least, that how it comes across to me. What is it she doesn’t want? I gather it’s something other folks want, but she doesn’t. Why? Hmm…
January 30th, 2014 at 3:50 am
Such opening. Very curiosity. Much read more!
February 1st, 2014 at 5:53 pm
I love that opening sentence. Must read more!
Congrats on finishing your edits.
February 2nd, 2014 at 1:26 am
First time I finished a manuscript, I felt like I had lost an appendage. It’s a strange feeling.
Congrats on all of your accomplishments so far and good luck as we move into February.