I often proof as I go as well. I feel like it makes me more familiar with what I've written. It also helps inspire me with how to approach the next part of the plot and makes sure I don't forget important details as I go. I can't understand why he might be against it, but if it's helping you motivate yourself to write, then I say do it. Having the motivation to practise writing is important and that means writing something you're interested in.
My problem was I kept going back and proofing each chapter instead of waiting until the book was finished before proofing it. Can't tell you how many book projects I've dived into and have left unfinished. That's why I really want to finish what I'm working on now, even if it is fanfiction. Though now I feel kind of dickish because the author of the story is strongly against fanfiction of his work. Apparently not enough to require Fanfic.net to deny submissions, but still...
I try to make my first drafts as good as possible, especially structurally. I'm still not quite happy with this manuscript though - looking forward to the editor's report.
I didn't think so either until one person I know acted like it was super long. Ah, manuscripts. I remember the day where I thought you were supposed to get it all right on the first go. Can't believe I got twelve chapters into that before running out of steam. Might actually had finished the damn thing if I knew first drafts were supposed to be crap >.>
2k isn't that unusual for a book chapter. Glad the words are coming without too much effort. I just finished editing one of my novel manuscripts for the sixth time - 70,000 words. I am about 35,000 words into my second manuscript, with hopes to get the first draft done by the end of July. Plus all these short stories... I've been really busy. I've been reading more lately. I used to find it hard because I had to read so much for class and my other writing projects, but I have a little bit of free time now that I've finished with my English lit subjects at uni.
Well, I can relate to writing things that are that long, at least. Some of my book chapters have hit 2k without me even trying to... That's awesome. I need to read more. I keep telling myself I need to read more and then my body is like, "No. Smurf you." And I put the book down unable to read another word. Not a good habit to have.
Very few of that variety. I come from a literary criticism background - 2,500 word essays that are a lot more academic than the average review - and I've decided to use the skills I gained from that on book reviews when I find the time to read new works. I should be reviewing a bunch of new things for Marianne over the coming months.
I'm curious, how many reviews have you written? Do you just review books or have you branched out into other mediums as well?
I'm contemplating eating myself. I manage to chuck out 15,000 words into the fanfic I'm working on in just a couple of days. I'm even starting to finish chapters faster than I used to. Chapter 6 was finished in the evening and Chapter 7 was finished in the morning before I went to my friend's wedding. I need to plot more. Already knowing how the story is going to go has been a huge help.
Contemplating sleep. Probably going to watch a movie first though. I was reasonably productive today (finished a 3,000 word draft and wrote a 500 word lit review) and I have to work tomorrow, so I just want to chill out for a bit.
