Tomorrow I start the second draft of my second novel which I completed in September. The last third of the novel was written at various campgrounds across the west. I had planned to finish the first draft before the trip, but you know how life works. I wrote in my tent, on a picnic table and in the Two Medicine campground store in Glacier National Park. I look forward to reading it for the first time. It’s been six weeks since I even peeked at it. I’m proud of the work, and I feel the revision should go smoothly.

My first novel still sits on my hard drive and numerous backups (external platter drive, CF cards). This one takes a nonlinear approach, and will require much more work in the revision, although I’m thrilled with the story and consider it “my baby”. Revisions for this piece will begin as soon as novel number two gets sent out.

Both are going to require massive effort, but I’m up for it. Who said this writing thing was going to be easy?

Because of the revisions, I have placed new novel projects on hold, even though I have a few things swirling in my head. They will have to wait for now. I can’t see myself giving my revision one hundred percent while giving a new creation the same effort daily. Something has to give in that process.

On Thursday I will complete my new short story “The Gull and the Shadow”. Ten days ago I finished another short story called “Without”. I’m not sure what to do with either story at this point. I’m leaning towards one of the stories being novel material. It’s tough to decide what has the potential to go 80,000+ words without padding, but that is how I ended up with my first two novels. Both started as short stories, and at a certain point I realized I was writing a novel. The trigger for this decision is usually a rush of intriguing ideas and twists which can only be addressed in a lengthy format.

I hope everyone had a great Halloween. It’s my favorite holiday, if you couldn’t tell. 😉

The coolest writing office I’ve ever had: