And the Novel Begins

So here it is, the morning of Labour of Love, a challenge to write up to 30k in 4 days, and I am wiped. Trying to make the last week of summer vacation special is exhausting :). I've been to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the beach, each taking a whole day and leaving me too limp to do anything.

How is this relevant to Bring Out Your Dead? Well, I've been too tired over the last two days to finish the outline, though I stand between 5-10 scenes from the end. It's a tough choice, but I think I'm going to go ahead and start writing even though I hate not having my outline finished first. My logic is that these particular scenes are very detailed in the story synopsis I wrote and the ending often mutates anyway. It's not like I don't know exactly where I need to be, but the details may shift so if I write up the final scenes, I'll just have to do it again.

What's this called? Oh, yeah...rationalization. I've really been looking forward to writing. I've put every other responsibility (for writing tasks which I can control at least) on hold for 4 tiny days, and darn it, I want to write.

A Start and an Unnecessary Jumpstart

Got started with the writing today and have achieved 5566 and a sum total of 3.5 scenes (I think?). (Already closed the spreadsheet outline, so I'm going by memory.) The first scene turned out to be a chapter by itself, but it was amazing how much critical world building just blended in as they fought. None of it is complete and all will require reminders later, but the hint is there for those who catch such things and for others to look back and remember :). Overall, I'm quite happy with it...though wait until I start the edit process ;).

Oh, and general rule of thumb? Having your computer shutdown abruptly with your not backed up document for your brand new novel open? Not good for the heart. All I lost was some tracking data and about 2 years off my life, so all's well that ends well.