Beware The Ends of March

I am on the eve of my official start to writing Brats In Hell. It's rather anticlimactic seeing as I've already started writing. Still, I figure now is as good a time as any for an update.

I have the Prologue and Chapter One done. I've just finished up the first half of Chapter Two. I'm just shy of 7000 words. In some ways I feel accomplished: two and a half chapters down already. In other ways I'm not yet impressed with myself: my current word count is right about where most of my short stories finish up. I think when I hit 10k I will feel like I've broken through to a new level. That word count will represent the single longest piece I've written to date and it will start to feel more like I'm writing a book at that point.

Early on in this project, I'm surprised how far off from the original outline I am already. The original outline did not call for a prologue. Not only do I have one but it is the second one I wrote, the first attempt felt stale, the second feels way better as a opener to grab your attention. I am still glad I did an outline. I need a map. It has a lot of great notes on direction, characters and world details. I don't think the words would be flowing so easily nor would I be able to sit down in front of the keys so confidently day after day without the outline to guide me through this story. I remain a fan.

Your story reveal this time is a longer form description of the story:

Satan rules the Nine Circles of Hell with an iron fist and the best damned bratwurst this side of the River Styx. That is until the Bratwurst King of Wisconsin, Otto Van Der Noodle, is cast into the Pit of Hell. Now Hell's Kitchen isn't the only game in town.

When the demons of Hell get a taste Otto's award winning brats, Satan's minions begin to pick sides. Satan feels the firm grasp of his reign in Hell begin to slip. The stage is set for the ultimate battle for Hell.

Will the humble Bratwurst King from Milwaukee wrest the throne of Hell from Lucifer or will Satan crush the only challenge to his reign over Hell?  Take the demonic journey in BRATS IN HELL to find out whose brats will be a cut above the rest.

FJE

The Calamity Begins Prematurely

 The more I post in this blog the more I find a need to do everything I hate. Just talking about what I'm writing seems so lame. I'm the only one interested yet I feel compelled to do this for no other reason then to keep myself honest and on track. This blog serves to make me accountable for my own promises.

Now I am compelled to post one of those silly progress meters as well. One more thing that is only of any interest to me. I guess I'm going to have to learn that I am my own biggest fan. I'm routing for me. I am okay with that.

On to progress news: I've started writing ahead of schedule. Tapping out the prologue at the moment. I'm not doing it on my 1k/day rate yet. Just dipping my toes in and finding my voice in the story. I feel alot better getting on with the meat of the matter. There is really only so much preliminary outlining one can do. I've come to realize I am going to have to launch with what I have. I've no doubt that even with outlining will have to be retooled as things progress. I guess that's my big lesson for this week. Nothing is written in stone until it's published.

And even then...

Story reveal for this post. With just over a week before the official start of writing I guess it's time to release the working title. Keep in mind, the title alone may conjure one image and not that of the true story. The plot will be forthcoming this week. Please, play some fanfare in your mind:

BRATS IN HELL

FJE

The Journey of Fifty Thousand Words Starts With One Keystroke

I had an idea. I can't really remember what birthed it. It was small at first and kept growing the more I paid it some mind. Now this idea has expanded into what I believe will become my first novella length story. In order to see this project through to the end, I've taken many early steps. This blog is one of them.

OPINIONS ARE LIKE ASSHOLES AND I HAVE ONE will serve as one of those vehicles to help me keep focus and honest to this writing project. Obviously, it's mostly for me but if you find some sort of interest in following this process then welcome aboard. I used to scoff at writers who put their progress out to the public as if we somehow care about anything other then the final product. I would be remiss to not recognize the efforts of rookie writer, Tony Baker and his tireless dedication to sharing his progression from start to finish of his first book. And with a great deal of success which I hope to use as a model for some aspects of my own writing project.

At this time, to keep it at least somewhat intersting to anyone following along, I won't reveal many details of the project. I'll start out by giving you this much: 

• This is projected to be a 50,000 word project.
• Initial outlining of the story is already taking place
• I have set a firm start date of April 1, 2014
• My goal is 1000 words/day for fifty days to complete the first draft.

Lofty? I'd like to think I'm being reasonable out of the gate. I know the words per day rate I can handle based on my output writing short stories. I have never utilized an outline for a story before but the size of the project coupled with my expected output really necessitated it I felt. I think having a map will help get this done withing my self imposed time frames. I will do everything possible to stick to my own rules but I think I've given myself enough wiggle room to allow for unforeseen circumstances without frustrating myself during the long haul.

That's about all I'm going to talk about in this first installment. Check back as I will reveal more about the plot, the title and the process as I head toward the April 1st start date. Then keep checking back as I write this bad boy out and check in here with how things are going.

FJE