I passed the 50,000 word mark on Book 2 yesterday, a fact I’m very pleased with. The creative juices continue to flow as I make steady progress towards the half way point. I’m finding the sequel much easier to write than Book 1 as the characters almost write their own dialogue. It’s as if the book has already been written and is being revealed to me every time I sit down to write, like a sculptor chipping away at a block of stone.
There are new characters aplenty in Book 2, but at its core are my three heroes, Kirkwood Scott, Meredith Starc and Harley Davison. They are the cornerstone of the novel as they continue to battle the evil Augustus Skelly and his company of ghost soldiers, hellbent on exposing the world to the horrors of The Scourge. Belfast continues to provide the story’s backdrop but it’s a slightly different city from Book 1.
Large chunks of this book have been written on my phone as I journey to and from work in Belfast. You can find me in the corner of a carriage, tapping away furiously as my fellow commuters sit around, oblivious to the workings of my fevered mind. It’s probably a good thing as I might have the train to myself if they knew half the stuff I dream up. There would probably be a straitjacket and padded cell waiting for me at the station.
I’ve set myself the target of writing 1000 words a day and have mostly stuck to that. Some days are easier than others but I normally find time somewhere to eke out the required numbers. Sometimes it takes one session, others it’s fifty words here and fifty words there. I’m determined, though, and motivated by the support of Fionnuala and the kids who keep me ticking over. They are the reason I write.
Book 1 continues to sell steadily. I’ve been particularly pleased at how it’s been performing on Kindle Unlimited, where its available free to subscribers. It’s the equivalent of an online lending library where you can ‘borrow’ up to ten titles at a time. I can log into my Kindle Author account at any time and see how many pages of the book have been read that day. Over 1000 in the last week alone.
I get paid 0.5 pence per page read so it’s not going to make me a millionaire overnight. It is kind of cool though to wake up and think to myself ‘Oh I made 43p while I was sleeping last night.’ Most of my KU readers are from the United States so I’m grateful to them all, whoever they are. If you’re one of them don’t be afraid to say hello. I’d love to talk to you about your thoughts on the book.
Also, if you’ve read the book and haven’t yet left a review, then I would encourage you to do so on Amazon and/or Goodreads. Reviews help boost the online visibility of the book, making it more accessible to potential new readers. It only takes a couple of minutes and would mean a lot to me. All I ask is that you are honest in your review. I’m very open to constructive feedback, it’s the only way I can improve as a writer.
I’m always listening out for lines and character quirks I can sneak into the story. Book 1 is overflowing with such inside jokes and asides. Who knows, you could turn up in a future story if you play your cards right. Thank you, as ever, to all of you who support my writing. It spurs me on and keeps me motivated through the dry times. Here’s to the next 1000 words. Another step nearer the end of the rainbow.
How do you motivate yourself to write?
Black Thoughts 
You exact words: “It’s as if the book has already been written and is being revealed to me every time I sit down to write, like a sculptor chipping away at a block of stone.”
This is the essence of my motivation to write. I am pulled by something more than me to complete that which is flowing through my Vessel. My words, my story, my output – all claims of the ego – the creation that is being pieced together feels as though the Grand Design had an imagination and is lending me their vision to create something special. So special that I am frenzied in my attempts to get the vision to completion. Fevered, really.
The words just flow when I am in the groove. I’m so excited that you feel the same with your Muse.
Much love to the Universe for the ability to creatively express yourself through written language!
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I try my best to set aside time to write. I don’t have a word count per day or page count as of right now. I keep myself motivated by knowing that day by day it will be completed. I’m also writing a personal development book so that motivates me 😂
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Sounds like you are very well organised. Hope it’s a success 🙂
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Thank you
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FIFTY THOUSAND! That’s an impressive achievement. I know you’ve already written one book (I’ve even read a good portion of it but I’m a slow reader… lol) but to do it again is awesome. How do I motivate myself to write? Hmm… I guess I’d have to say I don’t! I write when there’s an itch at the back of my brain. I’ve never been able to force it if I’m not feeling like it, though.
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Thank you. How far into Book 1 are you?
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Just a few chapters, I had it on Kindle unlimited but my subscription expired so I have to wait til I have money to read more lol
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Oh well. At least you have started it 🙂
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Congratulations ! I struggle to get the ball rolling on my writing project, Im still in the outline process, LOL. Good luck !
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The same to you Karac. Thank you 😊
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Congratulations on your achievement! 🙂
I motivate myself to write by reading, strange as it seems. I find that reading gets my creative juices flowing 😉
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Thank you. I agree. When I’m writing I always try to read other authors for motivation and inspiration.
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Excellent…I know how hard 1,000 words a day can be sometimes. I haven’t written a book in ages, and I’m slowly returning to writing as a daily practice. I’ve had a lot going on, so I took an extended writing break. Now that I’m sort of back in the swing of things, I realize that I don’t so much motivate myself as simply show up at the blank page and rely on muscle memory. If I get something from a writing session, great. And if not, that’s fine, too. The key for me is to be open to creative spirit.
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Thank you. I hope you get into the swing of things soon.
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You are amazing. 1000 words per day is a large commitment and I am impressed that you are sticking to it. I love reading your posts. Keep up the great work.
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Thank you Mary.
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I definitely struggle with my writing at the moment but I get so much out of it that it keeps me going so I find a way! Congratulations on 50,000 words!
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Thank you. Keep on keeping on 🙂
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So how many words was book 1? I have now read it btw and enjoyed it very much. I finished it on our journey back from Mykonos. (My wife has never seen me so engrossed in a book!) I did wonder how many little ‘in’ jokes you’d squeezed into it and how much the characters were based on some of your friends or acquaintances. 😊
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Thank you very much. I’m delighted you both enjoyed it. There are too many in jokes to mention lol. If you could post a review on Amazon I’d be very grateful. Thank you again 🙂
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That is so awesome and I am happy for you.
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Thank you Carol.
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You’re most welcome my friend. Wishing you continued success.
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Congratulations on hitting the 50k milestone! That is indeed impressive. The work on my novel is stalled right now… utterly lacking in motivation to go the next step. I think it is because I have become bored with the story and can’t imagine how anyone else would be interested in it. Need to find some ways to add a little SPICE!
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Some times you have to set it down and walk away from it for a while. Thank you.
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That’s fantastic! Keep on truckin’!
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Thank you 😊
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Writing on your phone? That is truly motivation! Keep up the good work.
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Thank you.
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