Once again, as I’m in the home stretch of a first draft, I find myself writing more and more frantically every day. I noticed the phenomenon with my last two books as well. For weeks, even months, progress would be measured at the rate of maybe 1,000 words a day – a few pages, if that – then once I get near the 75% mark, my daily productivity shoots up to 2,500-3,000 words a day, which is pretty much a full chapter for the current Zack Decker adventure. Of course, the downside is that I get so hyper after 5-6 hours of sustained work that I need most of the evening to calm down. Thank God for Netflix and mindless binge-watching. Last night, I hit the 100,000 word mark on Fatal Blade at the exact moment I decided to pack it in for the night (it was almost midnight by then!) and today is another day that’ll see me ten to fifteen pages closer to the climax by the time our Easter turkey makes its appearance on the supper table.
Even though I’m now writing seven days a week, the routine I’m slowly settling into is a heck of a pleasant change from the corporate lifestyle. I’ve even begun to take Tai Chi sessions in the morning and they do wonders to not only loosen up my body but also my creative brain. Come May, I’ll no doubt be playing the odd nine holes of golf before I settle down in front of my keyboard to finish Like Stars in Heaven. I think this career switch was probably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Mrs Thomson certainly finds me a happier, more pleasant and all round more cheerful man than I was a few months ago, and yet I’m working harder than ever.
My jealousy knows no bounds. 😉 Congrats on the new life style and keep up the great work!!!
You’ll be zooming by me like a rocket in no time!