Five weeks until spring!!

February 12, 2018: What exactly is a first draft? Did you know there are some successful writers out there who can churn out a novel in three-four weeks? According to a chat room in which I recently participated, the best way to do this is to plot the story from beginning to end before you write the first word. Once plotted, write the first draft−completely mindless of typos, misspellings and format. The person conducting the chat stated without plotting the story, her last novel took over a year to write the first draft. Oh my, I thought this was normal; but then again, my adult novel coming out sometime this year (I hope!) was written during my one and only NANO Challenge−where I finished the rough draft (40 thousand words) in one month. Talk about rough copy, it sincerely was. I didn’t stress over typpos, misspeled wordes or fragaments--no matter how hard Word tried to get me to correct them. Lol! 

So for all those of you who ask for my writing advice on how to get started: BIC (butt in chair) and just write that first draft. Worry about how it looks later. My current writing goal, is to find a home for ON A SCALE OF ONE TO TEN−my MG novel on child abuse. This story (along with MOUNTAIN LAUREL−a story about my parents) is dear to my heart, and I hope to find a home for it soon. However, I know all too well if I do not submit to publishers, my chances of failure are 100%.