Monday, October 18, 2004

Landmark

I've just reached the 3O,OOO word mark of the first draft of my new novel.
This, I officially declare, is half way through it. Although it probably won't end up being half way through, and I haven't been writing it in order, it feels like half way through, and that's what's important.
It certainly feels like more of a landmark than 25,OOO words did. I think that's because the words between 25 and 3O thousand have been pretty tough.
I've been going for 2O writing days (which doesn't mean I started 2O days ago - I have days off). Unfortunately this puts me at well below my target of 2OOO words a day. I'm going to have to refuse myself some days off, I think, so that I can make up ground.
But generally I'm feeling pretty good about progress. It's been lots of fun so far - especially when I'm putting down the exciting bits.
By the way, in case you didn't know, the book is a sequel to my first novel, Jimmy Coates: Killer (UK title) or Jimmy Coates: Assassin? (US title). They're due out on April 5th and June 1st, respectively, both published by HarperCollins.
The title to the book I'm working on now is still a closely guarded secret. I don't mind if you want to guess, though. Maybe there'll be a prize if someone gets close... (Family and friends - no cheating!)

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Me and the badger: To the death?

Joe said...

Hey, that's quite a good idea: a killer badger on the rampage, but with a twist - he only attacks cars.
But no, that's not the new title.
I'll give you a clue, it's in the same format as 'Jimmy Coates: Killer'. That is, the name, followed by a single word. So you only have to guess one word. And no, it's not 'Jimmy Coates: Badger'. Maybe it should be.

Anonymous said...

hhhmmm Jimmy Coates aka The Badger?

James Casey said...

Jimmy Coates: Queen

Joe said...

While he is dynamite with a laser beam, that isn't the new title.

James Casey said...

Jimmy Coates: Arrested
Jimmy Coates: Assignment Miami Beach
Jimmy Coates: The Curse Of The Black Pearl
Jimmy Coates: A Retrospective
Jimmy Coates: All The Hits
Jimmy Coates: Killed
Jimmy Coates: Love God
Jimmy Coates: Songs My Mother Sang
Jimmy Coates: Kostoff's Revenge
Jimmy Coates: The Jazz Album
Jimmy Coates: Chartered Accountant