Parts of the first draft of my first novel. I'm about 37,000 words into it, and about halfway done with the first of many drafts. History and fact-based fiction...taking historical events where a trail went cold, then picking it up in present day for the fictional part. I've written a ton of things over the years. Term papers, freelance articles, legal briefs, etc. I can't even think of the millions of words I've written for one reason or another. I've never had as much fun writing anything as I have this novel. I have to stop from time to time to double-check some of my research (don't want some large gaping glare in the factual bases, something I've already avoided now 3x by researching thoroughly), but I still have to stop some times because my hands are aching. I'll look up and see I've been writing for five hours straight (Rush and Iron Maiden help the pace).
I hope this flies. I'm having a lot of fun with it, especially character development and little bits of mischief I can drop in when it furthers the story and because I just effing feel like doing so. I'm setting up the characters, title, everything so that if this succeeds, I can write this in a serial manner, ala Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, etc. Also currently trying to decide whether to self-publish or not. Apparently it's becoming more and more of a choice. I told my wife I was thinking of writing a book, and gave her two different story lines. After a couple days, she says "A", and I was already leaning that way. It isn't until SIX WEEKS later, after she knows I've already started writing, having been working at it hard, sweating about whether I can even get it published, etc., she then *happens* to tell me for the first time EVER that our newest neighbors, two doors over, are book publishers.
BTW, working on the book b/c I haven't been able to practice law b/c I've finally accumulated enough maladies that I can't sit in court like I used to, hours on end, and at least one ailment leaves me sick for 2-4 days at a time. I have, for the moment (knock on wood), had the opposite of writer's block. Turns out it's writer's cramp. I have to rest them a day or two most weeks. Having had writer's block, I know to keep writing like hell as long as I can. I already have the central idea for the next novel's main characters' next adventure.
