Writing Milestones: 20,000 Words

I don’t often update anyone with my writing progress. You hear about my research (or my frustration with research, ha!) but not about the book it’s going toward.

I originally started it as a picture book, another in my historical airplane series, but Nome in 1920 really captured my imagination. The 1920s was a fascinating time in history with lots of innovation and societal change. Add in the rugged setting of untamed Alaska and the overly-romanticized Gold Rush town, and it quickly turned into a young adult novel: a snapshot of a young woman’s life, coming-of-age in Nome.

Well, today I am very pleased to announce:

21,458 words, to be exact.

I could be writing more right now, getting in another couple hundred words, but I think this moment calls for some reflection. I’m taking a minute to remember where I was a month ago (closer to 10,000) or even three months ago, when I was still trying to decided if I was writing a picture book or young adult book.

I am the type of person who rarely feels accomplishment. I can work my butt off on something just to brush it off when it’s finished. “Eh, it’s not that big a deal. Anyone can do that.” Or, “It’s not all that great…” Maybe even, “Yeah, I did it, but so-and-so would have done it faster/better, so I don’t deserve to be happy.” In other words, because I did it, it’s nothing special. I’ve been told that attitude has a name: imposter syndrome. I think it stems from anxiety too, but who knows?

But I did it. Best I can reckon, there is about 58 hours of research, 40 hours of writing, and 24 hours of blogging put into the novel so far. Only 20,000 words to go!

For those who are following me, thank you! In 20,000 more words I might actually change topics and research something else. Cheers!