16,000 words down thus far

I tried to write a completely different novel last year or the year before. I wrote 20,000 words before my computer died and, unfortunately, I had no backup via a memory stick and it was on a different word processing programme I’d got elsewhere for free. I know, my own fault. I need to back up my latest work imminently as it’s on a Scrivener file rather than Word [I’ve just gone and got a stick and uploaded it now. Phew!]

I’ve written 16,000 words of my latest novel in first draft form. That means it’s extremely ropey. Straight from the brain. A horrible mental diarrhea. I can only hope that subsequent drafts nudge it into shape. But we’re nowhere near that point.

Something I need to do and it’s been extremely hard as I’ve just been put on quetiapine and it’s making me extremely sleepy all day, is reading. I have a copy of ‘Things Fall Apart’ by Chinua Achebe I’d like to read. I’ve never read any African literature so it’s about time. The book comes recommended by no less than Nelson Mandela. That’s one hell of a testimony. I’ve also made a list of speculative fiction for after, starting with Fahrenheit 451 and Frankenstein, to 1Q84 and Midnight’s children.

I’ll next update you when I hit 20,000 words in my latest piece. Should only be in the next 3-4 days time.