Day Nine - 18,072 words and counting

This month, I'm writing a novel. All my progress can be found on my private blog. The commentary for each day's work can be found below.

It's becoming increasingly apparent that this will be a much longer novel than the 52,347 word target I set.

Without going into spoiler territory, I'd like to talk about where I am in the story. I've pretty much finished all of the introductory material, where we get to know the major players in the story, and have started into the plot itself. There are three major arcs in the story, and I'd say that we're about 1/4 of the way through the first one. Maybe less.

Based on that, I'm going to revise my estimate of the actual length of the novel to closer to 200,000 words. By comparison, Robert Jordan's The Shadow Rising, my favorite of the Wheel of Time series, is nearly 400,000 words. So as far as long-winded fantasy epics go, I'm not there yet.

I've decided to continue on with the Bryony POV for now. I'll be doing another Merona POV in a later chapter within the first arc, but it's way too early for that right now.

I did not expect to meet Yancy in the waiting room, and if you read my character outlines, you'll see that this will result in a wholesale adjustment of her history, if not her character. But I'd rather not adhere slavishly to the original if a change will better serve the story.

I never did give that balding man a name. There didn't seem to be a place to give it. I don't think Elma knew him, and he was unlikely to give it himself. If the character recurs, he'll get one, but as of now, he shall remain nameless.

I've reached the 1/3 mark! In another five days or so, I should be halfway there. That'll be nice.

Chapter five continues tomorrow!

Today's Total: 1,799 / 1,689 words (106.5%)
Progress to Date: 18,072 / 15,198 words (118.9%, 1.7 days ahead)
Total Progress: 18,072 / 52,347 words (34.5%)