Progress: Catching My Breath

You remember the trilogy I was working on the last time I checked in? If you've been watching this space at all, you've probably noticed I'm not updating a whole lot. That's because I was writing. And writing. And writing.

I finished the trilogy on Sunday morning.

As in, I've written two books since I last checked in in late January. Books in excess of 100,000 words. Don't ask me by how much, because I'm still writing them by hand. That was, apparently, the right call. I've had an easier time avoiding distractions, and I've been able to write during every minute of down time throughout my day.

And in some ways, it was wrong one. I've written through the night more than once. I've neglected a lot of real world concerns.

But I just wrote three books in five months! I guess I really wanted to write that story.

I think there are more stories to be told in that world. I just need to figure out what those stories are. I'd hate to get repetitive. I think I need to use different characters, because those ones have been through enough. They learned and grew from their adventures, and now anything I throw at them would have to be ridiculously overpowered to pose any challenge.

Honestly, though, it would be a waste to leave the world alone. I drew up a map and everything!

Yeah, it's not much to look at. And I've changed it since I took this picture. But I kept losing track of where the characters were and how long it would take them to get from one point to another. Having a map made it a lot easier.

Next on my slate is typing up all my handwritten stuff, then editing it and sending it off to beta readers. A lot of people have expressed interest, but only a few get to read the early stages. No one but me will read the original handwritten form. Mostly because I'm the only one who can read my handwriting.

I have no idea how I did that while holding down a full-time job. I have no idea if I'll ever be able to do it again. But it's one of those things that made me remember why I wanted to be a writer.