I can’t believe we’ve reached the end of November. This time last year, I had outlined my ideas for The Devouring and planned to start the first draft on December 1. It’s bizarre and incredible to think I’ve been writing with intent to publish for exactly one year. I have learned so much since then, connected with some incredible people, and read some amazing books. I’m grateful for the journey so far.
Writing update
November is a popular month for writing challenges. National Novel Writing Month is the most well-known, and even though the associated non-profit organization no longer exists, many writers and authors are still continuing the tradition. I completed NaNoWriMo back in 2016 and wanted to challenge myself again this year, but I knew achieving 50,000 words was impossible with my current schedule and lifestyle. Instead, I set a goal of 30,000 words for the first draft of The Crucible of the Broken Moon.
Unfortunately, five days into the month/challenge, I panicked under the pressure of my goal when I discovered I didn’t write as quickly as I remembered. Even when sprinting, when I am fully focused on writing with zero distractions, it takes me a little more than one hour to write 500 words. Granted, I try to make them the best possible words in the moment, and I’m also slowed down a lot by figuring out character interiority and physical descriptions. I am not a “messy” drafter; it’s simply not how my brain works.
Fortunately, my friend Gersande La Flèche recommended an excellent strategy after I lamented about my predicament on BlueSky:
This suggestion changed my mindset completely. I set myself these goals:
- Base goal: 10,000 words (no reward)
- Stretch goal #1: 20,000 words (reward: fancy box set of A Song of Ice and Fire)
- Stretch goal #2: 30,000 words (reward: fancy Korean BBQ dinner)
Immediately, the pressure to write 1000 words every day vanished. I was able to write without worry and even took some days off when I needed a break to recharge my creative mind. Now, at the end of the month, I am pleased to report that I’ve written 27,196 total words for The Crucible of the Broken Moon‘s first draft.
Crucible is far from finished, but it’s time for me to take a break from it so I can prepare The Devouring for publishing. The next step is to make revisions based on beta reader feedback, which I’m very much looking forward to compiling and reading!
Recent delights
- I finally beat Final Fantasy XVI, after playing it on and off for two years. I thought the story was fantastic, the voice acting splendid, the combat fun, and the graphics phenomenal. I have my gripes, too; there were too many slow periods of fetch quests that bogged the game down, making it difficult for me to enjoy and finish in a timely manner. But overall, I thought it was a great game.
- I wasn’t able to finish a book this month, but I am halfway through From Unseen Fire by Cass Morris. It’s a historical fantasy in an alternate universe Ancient Rome, which falls well within my interests. I’m thoroughly enjoying the characters, the plot, and the romance, even if it is a slower burn than I usually like. I’m looking forward to finishing it and reading the rest of the trilogy afterward.
A. M. Shilling 
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