Annnnd I am back. The time between the last check-in and today seems to have been a whirlwind, but a good one, because I got some good work done.
I finished NanoWriMo with 32,169 words on Ever Touched, which is wonderful. Now I have a good start for when I pick it back up again (probably sometime next year). The story is just starting to take shape, and I’m excited about the possibilities.
On December 1st I began the revision for Pirouette. I brainstormed my little head off and figured out a better opening scene. I am still a bit wibbly on parts of it, but it will do for now. I need to get the new stuff (re)written before I do anything else, because that will take the longest. Alisia, my MC, is trying her best to be snarky, but I am working on making it less for this draft. I LOVED her snarkiness, but it was too much, according to the majority of my beta readers. But I won’t take it all out.
I’m up to page 16 and 8,214 words so far — some of it is words that existed prior, but the bulk of it is new or revised material. So, I’m finally on my way. The good news is that my plot was pretty solid, so not much of that is being changed. I do have one element I’d like to add in if I can. So most of the work is on the characters and their interactions.
I forgot how hard it is to write 3rd person formal speech. I keep slipping into first person (which is my preference) and/or contemporary speech/though patterns and I have to remind myself that it isn’t going to work with this book. I remember waaaaaaay back when I was writing the first draft (10 years ago!) I lamented writing 3rd person for the male lead because I did not, at that time, know how to write 3rd person well. Now I chuckle because I’m pretty good at it now, and I should be okay, but still..little things trip me up.
As for physical activity, I’ve kind of fallen off the wagon there. I will be starting it again this week. Too little time, so damn much to do!
So from now until the end of the round, my priorities are the Pirouette revision and physical activity.
On the chocolate front, not too bad? I finished off our pumpkin-pecan strusel pie which was so yummy, and I’ve been eating mostly WW snacks. We have custard-filled donuts for dessert tonight (topped with chocolate), yum!
How have you all been doing?
Weaver of Words 
You post such delicious updates! Hooray for all the word and ideas!
Thank you so much, Shan!
And thank you for spring tevyum!
I probably have the exact opposite problem: I can’t carry off 1st person for longer than a short story. I get so claustrophobic in just one head. 😉
Happy Writing!
Katherine, that’s interesting. I can see how that would happen. Happy writing to you too!
I love writing in first person, but I write mostly paranormal romance and I find it’s easier to switch between POVs when I’m writing in third. I can do both fairly easily, but first feels more natural, although it doesn’t work for every story that I write. When I write young adult or new adult, I tend to slip into first fairly naturally.
Congrats on your NaNo word count! And good luck with your revisions!
Denise, I agree with that — switching between POVs is easier in third. I also feel very natural writing first, maybe because the character is right there in my head. Thank you for the congrats and the luck!