First Draft
Last night I finished the first draft of Uno Che. At roughly 55k words, it’s significantly shorter than Interference, which itself was significantly shorter than Forecast. The first book I actually completed, coming in at a now-astounding-sounding 475 pages, was the longest by far, but I only add that in for Megan. I prefer not to be reminded of it.
Perhaps the next novel I write will be a short story.
Or a poem.
Anyway, I’m not overly concerned with its humble length. Even many books I greatly admire, as with many great films, feel much too long. Hopefully this just means I kept to what was essential. My plan is now to put the manuscript aside for a couple of weeks before returning to it. I read recently–I think it was in an essay by Zadie Smith–that one ought to leave a completed manuscript alone for as long as one feels able. I think this makes sense. However, as I’m hoping to sell it and quit my job, that will have to be shorter than would be ideal.
Like other things I can think of.