Yes, I am writing a book! I started it just before Camp NaNoWriMo began this July, and have been going full steam ahead with the idea. I didn’t want to start making blog posts about me writing this book because usually I lose interest not too far into whatever I am working on, but now I am 20,000 words in and still excited about it! I thought I would share my hard, but fun adventure on my blog because I am sure there are a few of you out there also working on a book that can relate to all the struggles I am feeling. This is my first draft of my first book, which I have mentioned in previous Reading/Writing Updates, and am calling it “Project Night”. I won’t say too much about it, other than the fact that it is fantasy and has magical elements too it as well as Kings, Princes, Princesses, etc. My original daily goal for this project was 1,200 words a day, but I have amped it up to 1,600 words a day because my summer just keeps getting busier and there will be a few days where I won’t have access to my computer.

One struggle I am facing is getting to know my characters, but I feel like that is a common struggle for first drafts. Slowly as I dive deeper into the book, I understand my characters more and feel like I know them well enough to anticipate and write what they will do in certain situations. The first draft is definitely very, very messy so far but I know by the second draft I will have figured most things out.

I am really glad I decided to start working on my book at the beginning of summer break because I would NOT have time to start it during this coming fall. I am moving in August (which of course will affect my writing time sadly) and starting a new school so things would be way to hectic to dive into a brand new story. I do plan on finishing my first draft by September 5th of this year, and then allowing myself a week or two break from it before starting my first draft. I want to skim over my story, but another reason I am taking a long break is because I have heard that it is good to distance yourself from your story after you finish writing each draft so you come back to it with a fresh mind. The other obvious reason for taking some time off it is because the first week of school and whatnot.

Anyways, that was my first blog post on me writing a book and I hope you enjoyed! I do have a few questions for any others who are writing a book and they are:  do you listen to music when you write? If so what kind? and also what is your daily word count and do you find yourself being able to reach it easily or not at all?