More than halfway there, yes, indeed!

This photo capturing a sunset over the Gulf of Mexico depicts what it feels like on Day 62 of a 100-Day-Novel Challenge! The sun prepares to set on a journey where no apparent end is in sight. It’s an illusion, though, for the end nears.

I’m committed to completing a 65,000-word manuscript by October 2nd, or else {not really sure what “or else” entails, but I’m not risking any loss at this point in my writing adventure!} No, I’m not taking any chances, for I’m already in possession of 45,000+ words. I’ll be finished with a first draft by the deadline, of that, I’m most certain. Lately, I’ve been tallying up word counts in the Murky Middle, which is apparently the place fiction writers refer to as that nebulous stretch following exposition and long before the novel’s climax.

It’s where the heart of your story unfolds, so for my part, I think it’s a fabulous place to hang out for a while, to reveal your characters’ shortcomings, and lead them to recognize and resolve a couple of issues. I’m probably having too much fun, milling around in this midland. We writers in the current session of the Write Practice receive daily guidance and encouragement designed to maneuver us through the Muddle of the Middle. Some days I appreciate it; others, I ignore it. It’s the diligence of the long-suffering hours spent hovering over a typing device – either in the middle of the night, or all through the entire night – that creates the finest end-result, right?

Who knows; who really cares? I can report, however, discovering an unexpected joy in writing this novel: I’ve completely fallen for a few infectious characters (Suzanne, Franny, Marc, Addy, Cash, Maureen, John, and more!) borne from an overactive imagination. I dreamt them up and am simply recording their journey, for it is their lead I’m privileged to follow. In less than 40 days, their story will wrap up within another 25,000 words, or so.

I’ll miss them terribly. Until I see them again, when it’s time to edit the final draft and prepare for publishing. Then, you’ll get to meet them, too. I’ll keep ‘ya posted.