"Red Sands" Week Three

[kristen999]

Short update. Tale of the numbers.

Total words so far: 65,000

Total words expected: 110,000?

Completed chapter nine, most of the way through chapter ten.

Words this week: 6,000

Goal for next week: 5,000

Comments

[valleya.livejournal.com]

How many chapters are you expecting to have? And does 65K words make up the ten chapters or is part of that notes and such? Just asking cuz I tend to write long chapters, too. Good job on keeping up the pace!

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

I have 18 chapters planned out. The 65k represents the 10ish I have done thus far.

My chapters tend to be 4-6k words each, depending on the story. If I see a fic with chapters under 3k, I might not read it. Odd, I know. While I believe totally in the power of the short story, but with longer works, I want something to sink my teeth into and wonder if there can be any content development with chapters under 3k words.

"Long Ago (And Far Away)" for instance was ten chapters and 90k words long because of the way it unfolded.

[titan5.livejournal.com]

I think you are my hero. Seriously. That is great progress (and I still can't wait to read the thing). They should tap you to do one of the novels. You not only write amazing stories, but you actually KNOW the characters and the general established facts of the show (something some of these people obviously don't). Why these people value someone who says they are an author over someone who actually knows what they are doing is beyond me. Great job!!

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

Awww, thanks hon. I'd love to write the novels! I think they have a good author now who does know the characters for the upcoming series of books.

I can't wait to be done with this, though! :D

[katikat.livejournal.com]

Wow. That's... Wow. I have no words. You're amazing!

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

Awww...thank you. I wish I had smaller ideas sometimes!

[x-erikah-x.livejournal.com]

You're making some good progress. I wish I had the patience to write such long fics.

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

The only way I manage these long fics is the help of an alpha reader who's there to cheer me on during the raw chapters and will let me know if something is too off before I hand it over to the beta.

Writing in a tunnel can really put off writing longer works, not the mention the desire to want to try challenges (this the reason I have not signed up for yours) and smaller works.

That's why I started this weekly update. To keep me honest!

[x-erikah-x.livejournal.com]

Definitely. The muse needs some free reign, but having someone there will make sure you don't let the muse run off and become wild.

[sharpes-hussy.livejournal.com]

This is beginning to sound much like a repeat of Long Ago And Far Away.......in length
You are writing novels or at least novelettes???
:P

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

I think once a year I tend to write something 60k+ and I have the last three years in SGA with "Honor Bound" "Imago" and now this, besides the long co-written stories with everybetty.

It's a haul, but very rewarding.

[wildcat88.livejournal.com]

*stares at email, waiting for the goodness to arrive*

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

You won't get the new stuff until I'm done with chapter 11. I started this story arc from nine through elven and I'm not sure if I'll like how it pans out.

If I do like it or if I'm unsure, I want you to be able to read all three chapters to see it as a 'whole'.