Brain currently booting in Safe Mode

So. I've done it. Last night, I finished the first edit of my novel.

In doing so, it went from 52,718 words to 91,864. I had figured, when I started this process, that I would be able to add about 20, maybe 25k words to add some bridging scenes, a few extra bits, that sort of thing. I did not expect to add 39k words. I guess that's what you get when you add in a little more sex, a lot more family dynamic, and a drunken meet-cute that is fucking adorable.

Oh, and a new beginning and a completely reworked climax (ha!) to boot.

I still need to add chapter breaks and the like, something I've not done as of yet. Yes, that does mean my novel is a 173 page document that's damn near a wall o' text. Today's job is getting that done.

It's not ready to be sent off into the world, not by a long shot. It's getting there, and I'm ridiculously pleased by that.

First off, Imma just gonna put this here:



I technically finished my word count on Sunday, but I finished my actual novel yesterday. It's 52k words, needs a lot of polish, but it's done. If I do edit it (and I think I should), I need to set it aside for a while and read/do other things. I've been putting off quite a bit over the month, focused on getting my daily word counts in while moving the story along.

Enemies-to-lovers, mistaken identity, hero/villain, m/m romance set in 2025 Toronto written. I already have another pairing in mind, this time f/f, still hero/villain, but no idea what the conflict will be. It needs a think, but I also need a break, so this is a good one to put on the back burner and let it simmer for a bit.

So that's the goods.

The very very bads? I slept for shit last night. I went to bed about midnight, which is earlier than usual, then woke up at 3am. Between indigestion, hot flashes, and spikes of anxiety, I tossed and turned until about 5:30. Because indigestion that does not resolve itself can also be a symptom of a heart attack in women, and my hot flashes often make themselves known as radiating warmth that starts in the middle of my chest followed by a spike of anxiety, another heart attack symptom, I was fucking miserable.

I monitored my heart beat, which was the best I could do, made sure I was laying down in such a way to deal with the gas/indigestion, it was still too damn long to be dealing with anxiety and exhaustion.

I'm okay, if a little grumpy and a lot tired. It's also a snow day. No, wait, it's a Weather Impacted Distance Learning day. *barf* At least Declan seems super excited by it and isn't fighting me tooth and nail right now. OMFG, you guys, he just said, and I quote, "I've never been so happy to do school." If only it was this easy in April.

Just after midnight, I smashed the keyboard for about ninety minutes and already have 1673 words in my NaNo2020 novel. I've never done that before, but with the clocks falling back, I had some time and was wide awake.

I'm starting at the end, because it's been percolating in my brain pan and NaNo is about writing 50 000 words, not 50 000 words IN ORDER. I have some notes that are more suited for the beginning, but knowing where it will end (and having it written) should make it easier to hit all the other beats.

I'm also hoping to get another 500 words or so done later today; I only stopped writing because I was having trouble focusing on the screen and needed to go the fuck to sleep.

Fuck, yeah! I did it. 50347 words. 2823 words in a little over three hours tonight, which pushed me over the finish line. THREE HOURS.

Is the novel done? Hell, no. But it’s 50347 words closer than it was before.