More than a third of the way through NaNoWriMo already!  It’s been going very well so far – I’ve built up a nice cushion of extra words, which may be helpful in the later part of the month, which I expect to be busier.

I’ve been really enjoying the writing this time around.  The story has been flowing very well, I think in part because I have a solid outline.  I don’t get stuck wondering where to go next, because I did that planning in October.  Though just yesterday I made some revisions to my outline, realizing I needed to rearrange a few chapters and add another one in to make the timeline work.  But mostly I have a good framework to work with.

It also helps that I know all of my major characters very well – I’ve already written at least one book with each character in the lead, and most have appeared throughout the series.  That makes it easier to get into the flow of writing for each of them.

I’m tending to write about one chapter a day, which feels very satisfying, to hit a nice end point each day.  It’s also a sign that the story is moving quickly, and since sometimes I get bogged down with slow pacing, that’s encouraging too!  The first big crisis point of the story hits in Chapter Six, which meant spending the next few chapters with different characters dealing with the crisis.  Trying to avoid spoilers, but my husband likes to joke that I really like writing angst, and he is not wrong…

The next big crisis in the story is in a couple more chapters from where I am now, so hopefully that will be another exciting point to keep writing forward.

For now, an excerpt…

Rose ignored it when the guards pounded on the door.  She ignored a voice that sounded like Henry’s and another that sounded like Gabrielle’s.

She couldn’t ignore Tawny, when the lioness climbed in her window, padded over and began licking her face.

Slowly, achingly slowly, she sat up.  She wrapped her arms around the lioness, who nuzzled against her hair, felt the big cat’s soft fur against her wet cheek.  Silvertips came and curled up in her lap, a warm and comforting presence, but also a reminder that her second cat was missing.  Emerald Eyes had been with Terrence.  Where was he now?  She’d have to ask Henry.

She’d have to get up, and talk to people, and ask Henry.  And do a thousand other things.