Happy Halloween! I thought I’d take a break from revisions to post an update on the novel’s progress and a little more about the project that has recently developed. I won’t include spoilers, obviously, so there is no trick along with the treat.
I’m currently approaching the halfway point of the third draft. The word count fluctuates daily but lately it’s been between 57k-59k. I know that’s pretty slim for a novel but I generally tend to avoid flowery prose and stick to words that push the story along (my poet side peeking out there). There are 13 chapters written and an Epilogue yet to be written, cut down or combined from 21 chapters, mostly due to pacing. Many of the chapters are on the long side, at 3k-6k each. I’m hoping to write in such a way that things like length aren’t thought of as the story propels the reader forward. If I can keep ‘em moving, they won’t have time to question what I’m doing compared to others…at least until it’s too late.
At its foundation, I’m aiming for an apocalyptic satire, containing spiritual elements from films such as Zombieland and books/films like Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas. The main character, Neil, is a recovering addict withdrawing from a medication that causes vivid hallucinations. After the town is invaded by undead (called “revenants”), Neil enters the carnage to gather his small circle of fellow misfits. But when his search turns into a rescue, Neil learns that there is much more to the chaos than a zombie uprising, finding himself on a journey that tests his body, spirit, and sanity.
Regarding names (a month after my last blog post on the subject), I’m 85% sure most of the characters have names they will be sticking with. Only a couple of characters are taken from people I know in real life. A close friend who died a few years ago is among them, appearing as the leader of the “Ninja Saints,” a group that helps people flee the city during the apocalypse. I haven’t settled on the place names yet, scraping the barrel with obvious goofs like “Diston” (“This Town”) and “Nexton” (“Next Town”) because I’m a wise ass and like to make myself laugh. But I’ll settle on place names soon, even if I have to generate some randomly. I’m interested in obscuring place and time because I’m trying for an uneasy, uncertain atmosphere for the story’s setting.
So far, the third draft has been tightening up loose ends in the story, determining pace and sequence of plot points, and basic line editing. I’m planning two more drafts after the third. The 4th draft will be read aloud to tighten up the language, determine the best words and phrases, and prepare it for the final polish of the 5th draft. Then I think it will be ready to be pitched to an agent for consideration. I don’t think this is just a “run of the mill” zombie horror story and I wouldn’t write one that was. If I didn’t feel I’m bringing something new to the genre, or twisting an established idea (especially to make fun of it), I wouldn’t bother spending three years writing it. In this story, I try my best to make sure the reader is introduced down new paths at least by the Second Act and by the Third, I’m fairly sure no zombie horror story has resolved quite like this.
Finally, I was optimistically hoping to blog more often but life has gotten in the way, as is often the case. Of course, I’m working on the novel regularly, on top of full-time work, and that’s most of my awake time right there. Additionally, I’ve had to shop around for a vehicle in the last week or two, which has been an incredibly stressful priority these days, if anyone is familiar with the current shortages in the auto market. I had to put a deposit on a car even before the test drive to ensure I have a chance at purchase, after finding half a dozen vehicles sold before I could get to the auto lot.
And to keep things fresh and regular, I’m expanding the focus of this blog to other topics of interest aside from those related to writing, so expect entries more often about content from music, books, cinema, and whatever else I want to share with you. Maybe there will be some essays, reviews, and even a manifesto. But my primary occupation is to get this novel finished so I can start working on the next one waiting patiently to be written. I already have a rough idea of the story in my head.
Thanks for reading, everyone. I hope you have a great Halloween and week ahead! See you soon!