Plot Peak Pickle

30,000 Words Will Give You Such A Crick in the Writer's Neck!

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I hit the 30,000-word mark during the week, my friends, and this is draft five of my novel. But I have been here before. I've been here quickly before. I've been stuck for months trying to reach it before, and I always had that fire in my belly to keep going until I reached the point of plunder because of it. The process is that I get there, I get excited, I feel all those horrid emotions of fraud or failure, or worse, I rest, and then I hit a wall. I’m exhausted, and instead of keeping up the momentum, all is lost.

My weekend was so jam-packed that my sleep pattern was all over the place. That’s why taking care of yourself is so important and, most of all, going easy on yourself. This time around, I am not allowing myself to falter as before. I have recognised exactly what it is that usually crashes me into that wall, and I am taking all measures of prevention to make sure I don't do it again! The slightest change will help, as I've added to my morning routine to do either yoga or walking, depending on the weather, with the girls when we wake up to start our days with fresh air. We always had good days when we would start them together. So, we will have them again. Do you know what? It’s been working!

If you can leave with one thing from this post today, your mental energy is just as important as your physical. These tips will help your mental endurance along your journey, and you will feel much better for it

Even Stephen King, prolific for a book or two a year, writes 2000 words a day—not 250,000, if that’s possible.

Why is this so renowned for so many writers?

This is usually the stage we see the writer fail to finish. This, dear readers, is where the 3% rise. We want to be part of the 3%. In fact, here are a few statistics to watch out for in general:

• 81% of people say they want to write a book

• 15% actually start writing their book. 

• 6% make it to the halfway mark. 

• 3% finish their books.
  

There's a certain growth trajectory in a novel, and for me, it's the journey from 10,000 to 20,000 to the dreaded 30,000 words that mark the end of our characters' innocence. This is when the challenges we put in front of them start to shape them; we begin to see change and, more importantly, growth! It's a fascinating phase that keeps me hooked on my story, and it should be for you, too. But there are downsides.

Reaching 30,000 words is not just a milestone; it's a testament to your perseverance and dedication. You've cracked the first part of your book, you're part of the 6%, and now it's time to face the challenges head-on. Remember, comfort is the enemy. Stay sharp, stay focused. The real adventure is about to begin. 

You will find you will soar through your story when the plot starts to thicken, but be cautious as it may slow, and you'll think it is simply a resting phase. Before you know it, you've slept on it, and now, you're stuck. Where do you go from here? How do you keep up that energy that you had before the plot thickened?

Reaching the 30,000-word mark in a novel often means you're about a third of the way through, a point where many writers face a significant dip in momentum. The following strategies can help you push through this challenging phase and continue towards finishing your novel:

Don't Stop Writing

Keeping up the momentum is crucial. Stopping can lead to procrastination and self-doubt. The act of writing regularly helps maintain your flow and keeps the story alive in your mind, so do not rest like you're finished. Save that for the end of the first draft.

By continuing to write, even if it's just a little each day, you maintain a connection to your story and characters. This consistent engagement helps prevent the narrative from growing cold or becoming distant, making picking up where you left off easier.

Go Back and Edit Slightly - Do Not Dwell

Briefly revisiting what you've written can help you get back into the story's flow and correct minor errors or inconsistencies. However, spending too much time editing can hinder progress at this stage of your story.

Light editing helps improve the quality of your draft without letting perfectionism stall your writing. This approach allows you to smooth out rough edges while keeping the forward momentum, ensuring that your focus remains on advancing the plot rather than perfecting past sections. Remember, perfection can thwart progress; her time is not now.

To lend a hand on what you should be looking out for, ask yourself:

• Do I like my main character?

• Does the story flow?

• How is my dialogue?

• Should I create a new outline?

Don't worry; it's still not supposed to be perfect. It's just supposed to help you stay on track with your vision and remember your "What if ?"

It's still only a rough draft, so be assured you can save the real line edits for the second draft. Do not dwell on it.

Account for Preparation

Proper preparation includes planning your plot, developing your characters, and outlining major scenes. This groundwork gives you a clear direction and reduces uncertainty as you write. Not all writers prefer this method, but if you are stuck, please do not think it's some ridiculous hindrance to your creativity. Even the greatest of writers through the centuries have outlined or created a timeline of how they want things to go.

Being prepared means you’re less likely to hit a wall when you reach challenging parts of your story. And you are going to have a few challenging parts ahead. Having a roadmap can guide you through complex plot points, making it easier to maintain a steady writing pace and overcome the 30,000-word slump.

At this point, I like to create a timeline of how I want things to unfold for my protagonists. All I do is get a sheet or two from my sketch pad and draw out a rough map. This is particularly good for those of you working with intertwining time periods. It doesn't have to be a masterpiece; it just needs to make sense to you, the writer. It makes it comprehensible and keeps the reader guessing throughout your clever plot.

Stick to Your Routine

We've spoken of the importance of establishing a consistent writing routine before. This is to help train your brain to be creative at specific times, and now more than ever, you must discipline yourself to stick to it.

A regular writing schedule builds discipline and ensures consistent progress. It helps you develop a habit, reducing the chances of prolonged breaks that can disrupt your creative flow and lead to a loss of momentum. This, my friends, has caught me time in, time out. So don't let yourself falter from your routine. This is your day-to-day now. You wouldn't alter from your job at the office reporting to Jenny in HR, so don't do it to your characters!

This is also where I would suggest really connecting with your writing journal!

As Hemingway Put It, Stop Writing Before You Get Exhausted

Even Stephen King, prolific for a book or two a year, writes 2000 words a day—not 250,000, if that’s possible. So there, that's two famous authors for you, now you have no excuse not to listen to little ole me!

Ending your writing session while you're still excited about what's next can help you look forward to the next session. Hemingway’s advice is to stop when you still have energy and ideas, leaving something to anticipate.

This approach keeps your enthusiasm high and prevents burnout. As someone who could have had their book finished years ago if not for the burnout I allowed, enthusiasm for the story is essential in the first draft, as gruelling as it can be. It ensures that you’re always eager to return to your writing and maintain a positive attitude towards your project. Knowing where to pick up the next day can also make it easier to resume writing, as you’re not starting cold but diving back into the flow.

I heard the BEST piece of advice recently on Threads:

Do not finish your writing day on a chapter ending. Start the next chapter so that you have something to look forward to or lull over as you sleep that night. You'll be excited to see where you're taking the next scene.

These strategies collectively help you push through the challenging middle section of your novel by maintaining momentum, ensuring consistent progress, and keeping your motivation high. By combining regular writing with light editing, thorough preparation, a disciplined routine, and strategic stopping points, you create a sustainable writing practice that can carry you past the 30,000-word peak and all the way to the finish line.

Remember the writer's block remedies discussed in the blog posts in weeks 2 and 3. You will need them the most here, so go check them out, and remember to SHOW UP every single day!

I learned from studying with the Novelry that now that you’re getting deeper into the story, it’s time to fan the flames and turn it up a notch for the reader. It’s no longer a ‘What if…?’; it’s a ‘Why?’, and the simpler the answer, the better. Today, the answer may not come, but let the question simmer there for a few days as you write, even if you’re unhappy with what you’re writing. 

One Month of the blog, I can't believe it.

Thank you for everyone's support; it means the world to me.

This blog has helped me reach out to other writers and kept me going on my own writing journey, hands down. I started this blog as a personal journal of sorts to inspire me to keep going in times like these, the mid-point plot, and it's helped me immensely; I love writing it every week.

So thank you, thank you, thank you to all for the likes, shares, and views. Every click helps. You've all been amazing.

I'll see you next Wednesday morning to discuss resources such as Writing Courses, Mentors and Events and whether they are worth your time and money. So subscribe to stay tuned <3