Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Weighing In Week #1

I've decided to use Tuesdays here on the blog to hold myself accountable. Each week I'm going to toss out the facts and figures of my goals.

December 23 I weighed 293 pounds. Today TUESDAY January 4th I weigh 285.

I finished one novel this week. A free mystery/suspense e-book from Barnes and Noble titled Deadly Sanctuary and written by Sylvia Nobel.

As of today I have not sent of any submissions or queries on any of my writing. I hope to report otherwise by next Tuesday.

On January 1st, my novel in progress, an as yet untitled humor story involving a woman who believes her life is being ruined by sex and the over-rampant libidos of the world surrounding her stood at a word count of 12,000. Today that word count is up to 15,200.

At my current pace of 750 words per day it will take me approximately 114 days to finish the novel. I should point out that I tend to do lots of editing as I write so while the finished product will not be a polished draft it will be tighter than a rough or normal first draft.

114 days from now the date will be April 28th so I am setting a goal of May 1st to finish a draft of this current novel.

Until I arrive at a title I will refer to my WIP novel as the bull semen story as that particular substance plays a substantial role in the characters lives.

Tuesday also happens to be Two Line Tuesday a blog feature started by the fabulous Women of Mystery so I am going to try and share a few lines from what I'm working on. Today I am sharing more than a few but here is a scene from my latest chapter.


A skinny woman with flaming red hair sat down in the seat directly across from Ty. Two kids took the places on each side of her. The older, a girl, had clammy, sallow skin, runny, pink-rimmed eyes, and a bored expression as if being sick was commonplace for her. The younger, a boy with unkempt hair the same shade as his momma’s, was covered with freckles the color of old pennies.

Ty watched the boy, who couldn’t be much older than five or six, chomp on a piece of gum way too big for his mouth. His own kids were three years apart in age. About the same difference as these two.

He tried to remember if Heather had ever had to do this, take the kids to the emergency room by herself, while he’d been off fishing a tournament. She must have. Cade had broken his arm twice, and like all children, they’d both gotten sick from time to time.

The redheaded boy took the gum from his mouth and began rolling it on the arm of his chair until it resembled a long pink snake. Next he stuck it back in his mouth and chewed some more. The mother never noticed, but Ty couldn’t help wonder how many germs the kid had just ingested. Of course, kids did all kinds of things when you weren’t paying attention -- like grow up.

22 comments:

Triplezmom said...

Good for you on all that progress! I love the last lines of the excerpt.

Annie said...

Keep. Going. Do. Not. Stop.

Eric said...

Great progress, Travis. I especially like this line:

"covered with freckles the color of old pennies".

You have such a knack for conjuring up imagery in interesting ways. Keep going with this, it sounds great.

Old Kitty said...

Yay!! Great excerpt!! Enjoyed it and even went "EW!" at the image of that boy rolling his gum on the chair and popping it back in his mouth! EW!!!

Take care
x

sybil law said...

Excellent writing, and what a great start to the new year!

Mom24 said...

Well, you hooked me. I'd love to read more.

Travis Erwin said...

Triple Z - Or should I still call you Jennifer? Either way thanks.

Donna - Thank you.

Annie - I don't plan to but thanks for the encouragement.

Travis Erwin said...

Eric - I always strive to be visual and I'm a big believer in imagery so your comments makes me happy.

Kitty - I borrowed this occurrence from real life.

Sybil- I just hope to maintain my progress.

Travis Erwin said...

Mom 24- I'll be tossing out a few more lines every week but hopefully the book will find a home once it's finished and you can read the whole thing.

Clare2e said...

Wow- weight AND writing! That is total New Year Accountability!

Best of luck with your progress in all areas! You are my idol!

Crystal Phares said...

Great job, Travis!

David Cranmer said...

Sounds like you're doing good, Travis.

Jenn Jilks said...

Good work, making yourself accountable. I taught hubby to create a dietary diary when he was told cut down or you'll cut out. It works well to be public!\Cheers from Perth.

Charles Gramlich said...

Pretty good weight loss there. HOpe it wasn't all "beer" weight. :)

Merry Monteleone said...

Wow, Travis. Keep going!!!! That's good progress all the way around.

Unknown said...

I am now going to follow you...I found you via Sarah at Complications of a Perfect Life...you are now on my blogroll and I cannot wait to read more!!!

Thanks for being here!
G

Travis Erwin said...

Clare2E - I've always wanted to be somebody's idol.

Crystal - thanks

David - I'm trying to keep up the good fight anyway.

Travis Erwin said...

Jenn - Perth? As in Australia? or is their a Perth up north as well?

Charles - I'm not cutting out beer. A man has to have priorities.

Merry - May it be a productive year for us both.

Travis Erwin said...

Gabriella- Welcome and thanks. Always glad to pick up a new reader.

AvDB said...

I'd praise your excerpt and your progress, but honestly, I'm too pissed off at how fast you damn men lose weight.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Avery, seriously. What IS that?

Congrats Travis! And I love the excerpt.

Unknown said...

Awesome job Travis! I loved the bull semen story that I read in critique with you. It was always my favorite becaus I could NOT stop laughing!

Let me know when you need a read through!