That's right, DS V3 is done (written not edited)! Of course, many of you probably didn't realize that DS V2 is out on sale right now either. It is, go take a look at Amazon and Barnes. So, what's the blog about?
Well first, let me say that my blogging has been nothing but a craphole. I've not been doing it. I've been too busy writing. Here's what I wanted to talk about though ... my goal over the past 4 months. My goal was to write a complete 120,000 word fantasy novel in 4 months, 120 days. I started this venture on November 1st, 2011 and I finished March 2nd 2012. So yes ... I DID IT!!!
The main thing was proving to myself that I could stay on task and do it in 4 months. That's 1000 words a day of my life I pledged. I only spent about 1-2 hours per day doing it, maybe some extra time on the weekends. For the most part my life was normal, of course don't ask my wife that, she seems to believe I am doing this all of the time. If I was I wouldn't be watching TV, playing video games with my son and taking him to cub scouts. Women, wives in particular, can exaggerate. I maintained my normal life style and I am proud of that. Additionally, I did it with all of the distractions surrounding me. I don't hide in some dark room and close the doors and lock the windows. I wish I could sometimes, but I take pride in doing it through those distractions : the cats, dogs, my son and my wife, all of which need me in some capacity. The book thing is great, but family is by far the most important thing, well that and football.
So my message is, if you are writing a book, you have to do it through all of the distractions. If you are dedicated you can do it, you just block out the distractions and don't make any excuses. Give up something like TV and all of those sporting events. Trust me, I got alot done by not watching Mountaineer and Steeler games. That's the beautiful thing, you can go back and watch it later on DVR in 1/8th of the time. And if you already know your team lost, then screw it.
Writing can be fun, but don't let it take over your life, because then what happens if you've put in all of that hard work and your book sucks?
