I hope everyone had an amazing writing year in 2017.  My writing goal is set at 75,000 words and thus far, I have 11,355 words.  I have accomplished a lot, but in this new year, I hope to accomplish so much more with my writing in the Faith Series, a Literary Realistic Fiction.

I’m determined to finish Book One in its completion so it a release date can be set for on the day of my birthday, November 5th. I know the power of realistic deadlines to meet goals.

With Book One, I never had any set deadlines, but knowing the very busy schedule I have and how challenging this first book has been to write, it will most likely take me majority of this year to finish writing my first book.

In 2017, I have accomplished the following, but not in any order.

• Chapter 2 which was the Club Scene…One of the hardest scenes that I had to write is completed and filed away.
• Chapter 3 is written, but I still have more much content to write.  This chapter is going to be another tough chapter for me because I have to be on both sides of the fence so to speak.  I had to write the issues on the psychological and mental side of an abuser. On the other hand, I have to write about Faith’s body language, feelings, and thoughts in the midst of her being rape.  How can I face all of this when it has happened to me recently just in 2017? I’ve tried to avoid this plot so much, but I’m trying a little to face it, but just not that easy.  I’m getting caught up as an individual going through the experience all over again instead of being a writer; instead of thinking about my readers; instead of thinking about the abuser in a way to understand why an abuser is also a rapist. (Does that make any sense?) Rape is part of abuse, but not all abusers are rapist too, so I guess that is why I stated this as I did.  In my case in real life, my abuser is also a rapist. In Faith’s life, it is the same, but a different situation in my life and in Faith’s life. I’m real. Faith is a Character. Faith is me, but my book is written about my life with a fictional twist.  (Does that make any sense?) With that being said, Faith situation happened a little over a decade ago, but how can I write about a decade ago when I’m facing it just in 2017? My body language, feelings, and thoughts during the incident a decade ago is very different from the incidents that occurred just in 2017.  As a writer, this has me all over the place.  I’ve come out of the Character; I’ve come out of the plot; and I’ve come out of the story as a whole because I can only focus on what occurred in 2017. So, Chapter 3 is going to be something that I’m going to have to learn how to separate myself from a writer.  This book is first person, past tense. This chapter is going to be very challenging from this aspect. I know that I will be able to get through the road blocks, but I hope to be able to do so asap because I cannot allow my personal life to affect my dream of writing my first trilogy. I know I have a gift of writing that God is allowing me to put to use to help others who can relate to my book series on the topic: Battered Women’s Syndrome.  This is just one way on how God is using me in a mighty way.  I think this is a very therapeutic writing journey for me. Most of all, I love to write. I’m a writer in the mission of becoming a Best Selling Published Author.  Now, getting back to Chapter 3.  Once I write the content, organize it, proofread & edit it…It will be completed & filed away. Chapter 3 happens to so far be one of my longest chapters.
• Part of Chapter 4 has been moved to Chapter 3.  The other part of Chapter 4 has plots and settings in regards to over a decade ago when I was a Magazine Editor & Director of Operations, and of course a Publicist whom was on a Tour Bus & Major Concert to do an interview and was on stage along with my client at the concert with a Veteran Mainstream Artist.  Now, again, this was a true story, but with fictional names and places.  This is a true story that occurred in my life which is a hidden secret, but kept bottled inside since 2003.  I cannot include it in my book because although names, locations, and settings could be changed to protect the Multi-Platinum Recording Artist who is a Hip Hop Mogul, his Label, and the Major Labels all connected would put me in a liability situation with a lawsuit against me, if I exposed the truth.  There’s no way of getting around the truth as powerful people in the Music Industry and the public would know exactly the who, what, when, where, & so forth. For this reason, I’ll take this to the grave with me.
• Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 have been written on paper along with notes.  I have to develop these chapters in regards to structure, characters, plots, scenes, settings, organization, story line and the list goes on an on with all that is involved in writing a chapter. These chapters may just be moved up as I’m completing Chapter 4.  I have more chapters that I have noted as to what I want to happen during those specific chapters, but again writing leads you on a road on its own so the basis of the chapters may just change.  However, planning ahead is always a plus.
• I have written story lines, notes, plots, scenes, etc in general so the content can be placed in the books, but just not sure where as of yet.  There’s been times when much would come to my mind and I would start writing at that very moment.

In writing books, research plays a major part in writing.  Studying on issues that affect your writing is a must as well.  Many critiques help pave the way to a better writing piece and you get to learn more about your writing style.  I have met many awesome writers and authors during my writing journey by being a part of many groups, such as the Critique Groups or simply through social media.

I will keep everyone in the loop with my writing journey.  I hope it will help other writers and authors.  Not to mention, help my readers, as well for those that have similar experiences or others that have a willing heart to understand what others have experienced and/or just learn about serious life topics.

It’s now 2018, and I’m ready to push myself as a writer.  I don’t want my perfectionist mentality to hold me back anymore.  In 2017, I had a process where I would write up to 5 drafts to be critiqued and the 6th draft would be finalized, completed, and filed.

Now this year, I have decided to submit only 2 drafts. I use 2 awesome critiquing group network sites and I will submit the same draft to both sites, only twice. After the 2 drafts are edited, my 3rd draft will be finalized, completed, and filed away. I won’t submit my 3rd draft.  This will help me move forward quicker with my chapters and hopefully get my first book finished sooner than later.

I’m curious to know if you have a writing process in completing chapters, and if so, what is your process?

Happy New Year and Happy Writing!!!!