I’m calling the novel’s first draft complete, and I am so ridiculously pleased. Oh, there’s a ton of work still to do–so much to fix and straighten out–but this is a big milestone; one that I didn’t think I’d ever reach.

There’s still some work to do before I start the revision process–namely some fleshing out of the geography and time line, but that can wait till tomorrow. For now, I’m going to enjoy the moment and be grateful for all that’s led me to this point.

Seriously, y’all–this is pretty damn cool, and big thanks go out to everyone who encouraged me along the way. Thank you.

Milo the Dreamer

I’ve set a goal for myself of finishing the first draft of the novel this week, and I’m almost there. So very, very close. I estimate that I have another four to five thousands words to go.

For years, I told myself that I didn’t have the temperament for long fiction–that I’d just stick to poetry–but the truth is that I romanticized the process to such a high degree to excuse myself from having to attempt it. And risk failing at it.

Well, I’ve finally reached the point where I don’t care about failing. I have to do this thing, or I’ll be miserable and shortchanging myself on something I care deeply about. Now it’s almost here: the day when I can say that I’ve written a novel.

No romance, no drama–just sitting in the chair and writing a few hundred words every day.

Milo the Dreamer

I’ve made a commitment to myself to finish Milo the Dreamer this year.

Milo is the working title of the novel I’m writing, and it’s been many years since I began this particular journey. A lot’s happened in between (going abroad, traveling, a new job, etc.), and the characters have been extraordinarily patient with me. It’s time I paid them back with my attention.

It’s also time for me to put my feet on the ground in regards to this writing business. Yes, I write everyday, but it’s part of my job and it’s prose. Fiction is different. It uses different muscles, and I admit mine need a workout. Like practicing any skill, the clumsiness frustrates in the beginning. But slowly, over time, a sense develops that maybe I’m getting the hang of it.

I’m still writing the first draft, so much of the language is rocky and unpolished. That’s to be expected. If it’s still in that state after a revision pass or two, then… well… then will be the time to worry. Or not. After all, most first novels never get published.

I have hopes for this one though. I suppose partially it’s because I have to, otherwise what would be the point? But also because I have faith in the characters and their story. I like them.

In a strange way, I count them as friends, and I want to do well for them. Given that, I’ll pour what I need to into making the novel an interesting (and publishable) read. These characters deserve to get out into the world and live.

Milo the Dreamer

Once upon a time, there was a fair young lad with sparkling, cold-blue eyes and a head heavy with hair. This is not his story. Rather, it’s my story. Or, more specifically, it’s the story of The Journal of his Delights and how it came to be reborn.

The story begins with a villain. He or she is one of the faceless enemies of all that is good and decent on the internet. They and their bot minions scour the ether, trying every door, prying every lock. No site is beneath their notice, not even the Journal.

Fortunately, Media Temple, the mighty hosts of the Journal discover the hidden corruption planted by the villain, meant to mislead the site’s visitors towards danger. The malicious code is expunged.

Now I enter into the story: Not so fair, not so young, hair slowly receding. Upon learning from Media Temple of this intrusion, I decided to take action.

All went well at first. Yes, the bad code was gone, except there was (perhaps) the danger of its continued presence hidden within the site. I took it upon himself to delve further; to pick up the tools meant for the deeper sorceries of codecraft.

Alas, this proved to be a poor decision indeed.

Not fully understanding what was at hand, I slipped and cut to the heart of the site, killing it instantly: “Database Error.” Oh, the dismay at those words! Especially since the last backup was in November of 2009.

Yes, not only did I not properly understand the tools, but I also neglected to back up the site before experimenting.

And yet! Rather than throwing myself into despair and self-recrimination, I chose instead to start fresh. You see, I had been struggling with the Journal of late. The site was originally meant for my friends to document my travels and transitions: living and studying in London, traveling the world, and so on. But the situation changed, a new chapter has been unfolding, and the site’s history and inertia weighed down efforts to include those changes. So! I chose to turn this mistake into an opportunity to rebuild the Journal; to make it faster, stronger, better.

That’s the plan anyway: As one chapter closes, a new chapter begins. The old Journal is gone; most its stories sleeping, hidden away for occasional recollection. The new Journal is born; it’s future an unknown place full of potential.

I wonder how the rest of the story will go? I can’t help being excited.