Word Count: One Month Later

On August 19, I posted the word count on my WIP. So, now, one month later, I'd like to give an update.

Aug. 22-27:            5,582 words
Aug. 29-Sept. 3:     7,841 words
Sept. 5-10:             5,535 words
Sept. 12-17:           3,668 words

Total:                    22,626 words

On August 19, I estimated I had about 90,000 words to go out of a 110,000 word novel. I have to keep changing estimates, though. Now I feel the book is probably closer to 120,000-130,000 words in length, and I'm about, maybe just a little over, halfway. I've completed over 70,000 words, so I have about 50,000 to 60,000 words to go. (I'm not sure this math adds up, but, what the heck.)

I'm pleased with the progress I'm making, although I'm not sure I can finish the book during October. It's looking more like sometime in November. I'm thinking of self-publishing it in January or February 2012. I have some decisions to make, one of which is developing a cover for the book. I'd like to hire a professional firm to do that. I'm not sure how long it takes a firm to work up a suitable cover. Over and over again I hear and read that an eye-catching cover is crucial. So, that will be an important undertaking for me.

Creativity is messy.

This is a page from my work in progress. And this is perhaps the fourth draft of the novel that I'm working on. You would think that by the fourth draft, there would be nothing to change. Yet, there you see it. It looks messy, doesn't it.

Yes, I've come to believe that creativity is messy--all kinds of creativity. From painting, to sculpture, to writing, to photography, to music, to dance, to sex, it's all messy. Yet for the people involved, it's the greatest thing in the world.

What do you think?