My WIP is 62,000 words (and some change). It's not finished, but it's getting closer. This weekend I went to a writing conference and work retreat. Every chance I got, I dropped my butt into a chair and hunched over my laptop. I brought several books along. My usual routine--drink water... write... pee... drink water... write... pee... read... and repeat.
Drinking lots of water as I write helps remind me to get up and run (before the pee runs down my legs).
Unfortunately, one of the books I brought was so good, I did more reading than I planned. Saturday night I stayed up past midnight reading, and ended up with only 50 more pages to read. On Sunday I woke up early and finished it.
At the core of this story are strong women--four of them filling the pages for most of the story, and then a new one appears towards the end. The Invention of Wings is the real-life story of Sarah and Angelina Grimke--two abolitionist and feminist sisters, along with the slave that was given to Sarah as a birthday present when Sarah was a young girl. In reality, the slave girl dies before she becomes a full-fledged adult but Kidd has written a fictionalized version, and it is stunning.
The voices of Sarah and Handful ring so true. Mauma (Handful's mother) is such an engaging character. Not many books drive me to read while my eyes are watering from being overly tired... and yet I continued to read.
It was that good...
On a semi-side note, my WIP is part novel and part cookbook. At the end, I'm including recipes from my made-up writing critique group. If you have an incredible recipe you'd like to send me to include (I'll include your name in the recipe's name), send it to sroslawski@yahoo.com (I've got the directions for some delectable dishes so far).
What accomplishment do you have to celebrate? Confetti-covered minds want to know...
Congratulations on your WIP milestone! I didn't know Sue Monk Kidd had another one out. Sounds like another winner.
ReplyDeleteTammy--I am bringing it on Wednesday to share. You can speak up and snap it up first. It IS a winner. I also heard her memoir--"Dance of the Dissident Daughter," is good.
Delete62,000 - yay! That's a lot of writing. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of recipes are you still looking for? I have my own salsa recipe, if you need something like that, developed over years of hits and misses. Or are you looking for main dish type stuff? What do you need, and I'll help if I can.
Lisa--As you know, even after writers get to the magical number (75,000? 80,000?) there is still a lot of work before submitting. But thanks.
DeleteIt could be your salsa (but you might want to keep that one--it sounds like a super secret, pass-it-down-to-the-family one ;) but I'm including desserts, main dishes-- anything and everything.
Is that 62,000 your final count? Have you completed your novel? Tell me, and I'll add a happy dance to the congrats! I thought that number was a target you had made for yourself along the way. I have two---the 50,000 mark is a biggie for me, and then 75,000 because that means I'm almost home. My books run 90-95,000, and those milestones are important. They sort of light the fire for my final sprint to the finish line, you know? :) And then as you said, there is a lot more work that follows.
DeleteI'll email you my salsa recipe tomorrow, and you can use it or not, as you choose. It is my own recipe, but there's nothing secret about it. Recipes are made to be shared!
Lisa--After reading your comment, I added a line to my post. No, it's far from finished. (90-95,000? Yikes.)
DeleteThanks for the encouragement and the recipe. Believe me, when this draft is finished, you will hear MY happy dance all the way in Georgia. ;)
Reports of your age have been greatly exaggerated. Kudos for your wordy accomplishment!
ReplyDeleteAs you know, I'm not so much a "cook" as someone who heats things in the oven (with one element), or warms them in the microwave (with two drawer-knobs for a door handle). All I have to offer are such mundane taste treats as Chex Mix, and Cheesed Broccocaulipeppot. Unless you are looking for a recipe that could be the implement of a character's demise, I think it's probably best to shy away from my culinary stylings.
Val--Yeah, I look alright for 62, right? ;)
Delete62,000 words? That's incredible, Sioux! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteMama Zen--Thanks, but I need thousands of words to say something. YOU can say volumes in a mere dozens...
DeleteCongratulations on your progress, Sioux! Your WIP will be done before you know it! And I love Sue Monk Kidd -- her newest is already in my To Be Read pile. So many books, so little time... :)
ReplyDeleteTheresa--Thanks. As far as it getting done before I know it, I'm not sure, but I love your optimism.
DeleteAs far as our stack of "must read" books: perhaps we need to stop everything else (work and housework) and just read? ;)
Yay, 62,000 words! If I had 62,000 words I'd be stick-a-fork-in-me-done.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of forks, I'm not much re: recipes. Or cooking. Pretty much recipes AND cooking, but I am certainly intrigued with your novel now. Recipes AND a story? Very impressive, Sioux!
Cathy--Thanks. We'll see how "intriguing" it is once it's done.
DeleteI was stunned to read 62! I knew better, you youthful looking redhead. Yay for you, 62,000 words...and still at it? Amazing.
ReplyDeleteLinda--Yeah, it might be an amazing pile of ___ once it's finished. We'll see...
DeleteA cookbook? "To Serve Man", perhaps? ;-)
ReplyDeleteShay--A woodchipper DOES take a prominent role...
DeleteAwesome, Sioux! Half the battle is getting words on paper, so I'd say you're winning the fight.
ReplyDeleteI read the Invention of Wings a year or so ago and absolutely enjoyed every word. Glad you did, too.
Pat
Critter Alley
Pat--I'm glad you like Kidd's book. Sometimes I get too excited about a book and wonder, 'Is it just me?'
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