February 2025 Writing Update

So! We are well on our way to achieving one of the goals I had mentioned in the January update. More specifically, I have, as of January 31st, finished the second draft of my mystery novel! This time much faster and more efficiently than draft one, which was a huge help in keeping all the spinning plates from toppling over due to a lapse in my memory or some other such product of longer timelines.

Next step, obviously, is to get some feedback on this new draft. I’ll need to explore beta reader options, whether that be people I know, people that people I know know, or complete strangers I connect with online. Each has their detriments and benefits, so the wisest thing to do would likely get a mix of all of those groups. Then again, I am not particularly known for my sage wisdom…

Outside of finishing the novel, ideas for a new story have been creeping into my head. I think these would be healthy to explore, at least as a “treat” or break from the same narrative that I’ve been putting most of my attention to these past few months. Or maybe I’ll put more refinement efforts into the horror short I finished in December. To be determined. But, what’s less nebulous is my self-satisfaction. Draft Two felt remarkably cleaner and more focused than draft one. Part a product of getting my story more down-pat, part a product of becoming more adjusted to the necessities of writing in the novel medium rather than screenplay or other structure. Improvement is always nice to feel! And it’s a worthy goal to keep chasing. So, chase it I shall.