Deadline

For the first time in my life I have set a deadline for my novel. My Fiction Writing prof sent our class an e-mail concerning a "First Book Contest" with the prize of getting published in 2011. I have decided to enter this contest, mostly just to prove to myself that I can finish a project of a much larger scale. The last day to enter is May 31. I'm going to aim for May 10th, so I have a time buffer where I'll be able to mail and make last minute changes. I also need to find someone to be a proof reader for me, though I doubt anyone has the time or ambition to do it. I am probably going to be alone on this, but I have my prof, classmates, family and close friends to turn to. Who knows? Maybe some will take a little interest.

My book will be closet to the limit of 90000 words. I will aim for 75000, which is 150 pages (on Microsoft Word). I'm aiming a bit lower so that I don't overwrite. So far I have 10 pages. I have a lot of questions to ask myself about the plot before I can really get into the story however. My characters are all finished in appearance, names, likes, dislikes, fears, and other traits. Some of their ambitions and motivations need to be figured out, but that relates to plot. A lot of the technical aspects have been worked out as well, though I do need to do more research into modern science and discoveries as well as fighting techniques. Overall I am about 60% finished the story in my mind. In terms of the actual writing I am at the 7% complete mark.

Here is the contest website for any other Canadians interested in publishing a first book. I strongly encourage my fellow Canadians to enter!

http://www.thewritersstudio.ca/news/1st-book-competition/