The novel is still a work in progress. It’s morphed into an entirely different plot, one that is both stronger and more amusing. I began the 4th draft on 2/25 and am working furiously to build it into a completel novel.
In the last several months I’ve written nearly 300,000 words on the novel. Most of it was bad, but it gave me a lot of ideas on where to take the book. The third draft was the first one to include a lot of really usuable chapters, many of which I’m hoping to incorporate into the 4th.
This time around I’m using one of the novel development techniquess recommended in James Scott Bell’s book Plot & Structure. It recommends breaking a book into a three act structure, which I’ve doen. It also teaches something called the LOCK system, which I’ve employed to help strengthen the plot.
The fourth draft is far more organized than the other three. I’ve got chapter breakdowns, am measuring tension levels and have a much clearer idea of the plot from start to finish. I’m by no means finished, but I can say that this version is the best yet and that I’ve made tremendous progress on the novel since starting back in mid-September.
