Writer’s Update 2/18/25
Hey everyone! Remember how I announced a self-appointed writing challenge last week? And my goal was to write at least 10,000 words every week? Well…
I DID IT!! Well, more like I am doing it. My weekly word count (as of 4:32 p.m. February 17) is—drumroll, please…
13,550
In one week, you guys! Thus, bringing my manuscript word count up to 47,683. My observations for this first week, and my own personal writing habits, are as follows:
I work best under pressure. I knew this already, of course, what with my ADHD and short attention span, but it had never really affected my work ethic decisions. However, I knew that in order for me to write every day without getting burnt out, I needed a physical block to keep me from reading or editing old work. This is why I started relying on wordsprints.org to see me through the week. Let me tell you—best decision of my life. I found myself writing over 700 words in twenty minutes and was able to meet my goal almost every day. And, speaking of word sprints, I apologize for not updating my sprint wall on the home page every day. I could say it was because of school, or because my best friend came over for the weekend, but I honestly just forgot—and when I did remember, I didn’t have the motivation or headspace to plan ahead into the day in order to effectively schedule it. I’m planning to be better about it this week, and I hope to see some of you at the sprints!
The best advice I’ve ever been given is just write. Don’t edit, don’t read, don’t fantasize, just write. I’ve made more progress in one week following this phrase like a beacon than I have in the past five months.
My fourth draft will likely be finished in approximately 80k words. As I’ve been writing, I’ve noticed that I’ve been leaving out a lot of fluff which I so often used to include. This is a great thing, for multiple reasons:
a) Nobody likes fluff—especially not in an already plot-heavy fantasy novel.
b) Meaningless scenes slow me down, mess up my pacing, and eventually burn me out since I don’t feel any sort of accomplishment afterwards.
c) The absence of fluff lets me stick to my previously devised plot a whole lot better.
Favorite Scene of the Week
Please, please please please please please bear in mind that this scene I’m about to share is the roughest of rough drafts. Think extra coarse sandpaper. However, I thought I’d share it with you since it’s going to turn into something so hilarious and perfect and just meme-worthy. (I mean, maybe—I’ve never made a meme before.) Quick note: Willow and Shadowpaw (who are 17 both around the age of eighteen) are friends but have absolutely zero interest in one another romantically. They’re also both royalty. (Enlil is Shadowpaw’s long lost aunt, by the way.) So, without further ado…
Please proceed with caution and a grain of salt.
In Citrine’s POV
Enlil raises her brows at her, her posture radiating contempt. “You’re the princess?” The question is venomous, and I’m worried we’re about to lose it all. Her posture turns rigid as she seems to look at Willow in a new light. Her jaw clenches, and her grip on her quill tightens slightly. “Miss Ashbluff,” Enlil smiles, “my army isn’t in fighting shape. I’d love to help you, but under these circumstances…” she shrugs. “It’s simply out of my hands.”
“You mean you don’t trust Willow,” Moonshine translates.
Enlil smiles sweetly at her. “Yes, my love. That’s exactly what I mean. And I would like her out of my kingdom by nightfall.”
Willow drops her gaze to her hands, where they rest in her lap. “I suppose he didn’t tell you then,” she says. Shadowpaw quirks a curious eyebrow at her. “I mean, it does make sense… you see, Enlil… we’re engaged.”
He blinks at her, shocked into stupid silence as she grasps his hand with hers and brandishes her ring finger, where her late mother’s very expensive, very stunning engagement ring sparkles in the sunlight.
My jaw nearly unhinges as it drops. This is her idea???
Enlil’s eyes widen, and she looks between a shy, blushing Willow and a startled Shadowpaw. “My love,” Shadowpaw’s laugh is strained and his eyes scream murder, “I thought we agreed to keep that secret.”
“You’re getting married?” Moonshine squeals, equal parts shocked and excited. Comet looks between them, more than a little confused—and maybe even grossed out.
“I don’t like hiding it, especially not from family.” Willow offers a smile, too sweet and loving to be real—at least, coming from her.
Enlil’s eyes are round holes of surprise and calculations. “You two… you’re…” She swallows, her mind evidently racing. “Is this a marriage of alliance, or…?”
“It started out that way,” Willow admits—wait, is it admitting if it’s a lie? “We wanted to put an end to all the violence and bloodshed between the foxes and Moonflower Valley.”
“But over the course of our journey,” Shadowpaw adds, quickly adjusting to the lie and taking the reins, “she fell for me, and after a while so did I.”
Willow cocks her head at him, her smile sweet but evidently murderous to me. “I’m fairly certain you fell first,” she argues.
“There’s no way—” Willow’s smile drops from her lips for a moment, allowing her to shoot daggers at him. “Yeah, she’s right,” he says quickly to Enlil. “I did fall first.”
A smile has somehow found its way to the queen’s lips, and she’s so excited I’m sure she’s about to explode. “Oh, do you really mean it?” She presses her hands to her mouth.
Shadowpaw nods, bringing his and Willow’s entwined hands to his lips and kissing her gently. His left eye twitches subtly, and I’m pretty sure Willow’s gag reflex is kicking in.
Enlil gasps, reeling. “When are you having the wedding?”
“Just as soon as Starlight Glade is rebuilt,” Willow promises, “and Moonflower Valley is without its regent on the throne.”
“Well then, we’ll get straight to work on the details—and you have my full support in the war, dear. Now, look alive! This wedding won’t plan itself!”
