Finished Chapters 47, 48, and 49. Word count: 60,067.
Starting in on Act V. The story enters a new phase, and I have realized that characters who were minor players in previous appearances now have more moments on center stage in this last act. This has meant that I had to go back in and get a better sense of who they are as people. No less than 14 characters. Apparently I have a fairly huge cast for this book. I vamped them in for their previous scenes, but I really need to know them better as they take over a big part of the last act.
I delved into my files filled with magazine tear sheets of people and faces and have now completed the casting for these 14 characters who have taken over a wall and a half in my office. I am enjoying their company as I begin the final chapters and resolution of the book.
My word count is exactly on target at 60,000 for the end of Act IV, with about another 15,000 words to take me to the end of Act V. I’m aiming for an overall total of 80,000 words. If I bring in this draft at 75,000, I’ll be in good shape for the final draft, since I have lots of detail I’ve glossed over for the sake of getting this draft on the page.
I’ve read it over, and I’m seeing only minor stuff to fix, rather than the big gaping wounds I’ve seen in past read-throughs of previous drafts.
Do I dare to eat a peach?
Eclectic Magpie 