STATUS – 09.19.2026 –

I am approaching the end of Project NESS’ copy edits.

This means, of course, I tend to pull away from a project. When I’m in the first draft of a book that’s, say, 50,000 words, the first 10-20,000 are the easiest. Of course they are. It’s the start. You’re going fast, loose, and everything is new and fresh and you’re going full-steam ahead.

That middle 10k, the middle slog some might call it, is always the hardest, sure. The rush is gone and you’re trying to figure out how to link all the beginning bits with all the wonderfully thought up end bits you imagined weeks ago.

For me, specifically, that space, the 35-40,000 mark, is when I start to panic a little. Is this making sense? Does all of this add up? Are the characters in the right places for the big finale? Oh god I’m a fraud and I’ve wasted my life and all of this is going to amount to nothing

Always good to have a partner that watches out for you.

Once that hump is over, then the final 10,000 words is always a rush. I can sometimes get that final stretch done in a day or two if I really wanted.

Same goes with edits. I’m in the middle of that negative space, that 35-40k mark where I doubt all the choices I’ve made up until this point and wonder if I’m wasting my time.

A supporting wife, and a good reward system, can help push you if you need it.

The featured image is a Magic the Gathering – Final Fantasy XV scene box, the last one I needed of the four they released. I don’t get to open it until I am done with these edits.

So, yeah, full steam ahead.

PROJECT UPDATE:

NESS – Copy edits are going nicely, but we’ve slowed to review previous chapters to make sure all character choices are lining up. Does the plane even have wheels, let alone runway space, to land? That’s kind of what this part all feels like.

CURRENTLY LISTENING: Spooky music for a spooky part of the book.

CURRENTLY READING: I swear I am going to finish this Eva Evergreen book by Julie Abe because it’s just so charming and whimsical and great, but man do I keep getting sidetracked by all these pesky kids who keep making me pass out on their bedroom floor at bedtime.