So chapter 9 is the focus this week. You should be finished with chapters 7 and 8. And the focus of chapter 9 is to be around the midpoint of your story. I know it sounds like we are repeating things for this month, but this is the way you are developing routine and moving that story forward.
Some authors work by beats. Some work by chapters. Some just keep writing. I think all are acceptable but you do have to define how long the novel may be or at least give it a focused guess by this point. Sometimes I get to the end of my novel thinking I need 2 more scenes but sometimes it take more or less to finish. Nope we are not at the finish but at the mid point of your novel you gotta be thinking what is coming and how in the heat of all these stuff that is about to happen, how are you gonna make sure to get to that wonderful ending that is running through your head and should be on the outline you are keeping. So for 2 months this is what we have. One more week to catch up and be done through chapter 9. Just a reminder while this blog is pacing what we need to do weekly. Some are following closely. Some are ahead and some behind. The pace if yours to set. No pressure other then an hour a day whatever that does for you and your story. This idea was give a push to those who cannot seem to finish a story timely or those who need a pass or a plan. And for the most part if you reached this week you may be halfway done with a rough draft for your novel. Week 8" 1). Focus on Chapters 7 through 9. You have spent three weeks on these 3 chapters and hope ther focus has helped you reach a mid point in your story without it having a saggy or slow middle. 2) view your outline...yes again. You should have fou d time to read quickly from the beginning now so you should add hints or things to fix or look at later in various chapters. Again no edits now. 3) take a look at what needs to happen in the next 3 chapters and jot down your ideas. Those ideas may have pieces in chapters 7 8 9...so tweak where needed. Share your idea related to your being a plotter or panster. What works for you? What doesn't? Any new craft books that are helping you? What about podcasts or other links you might share.