118: The Mid-Novel Slump
2/21/2023
Just finished Chapter 51: Appealing for Help. Still on schedule and getting the work done, though I’m uncertain about its quality. Maybe it’s simply because I’m knocking them out so fast. This latest chapter came in at just over 8 pages and 2,479 words, but it only took me about 10 hours between 2 days to write it. This has the tendency of leaving me with the taste of fast-food in my mouth. And it’s too soon for me to reread and judge with fresh eyes.
There’s also quite a bit more exposition in these latest chapters, which is another thing that’s leaving me uncertain. This is probably the worst place to put it as well, exasperating whatever mid-novel slump the reader might be experiencing even if there were no expository dumps by the author. My concern is tempered, however, knowing I can always rework it later down the line – preferably on a real computer when I’m doing my final draft transfer from my handwritten manuscript.
Present-Day Reflection
9/20/2026
Funny how it feels like I’m going through a mid-novel slump right now as well, three years later.
Feeling bogged down by the weight of things.
I had to take the light-rail out of town to Northgate last night after work to get a new laptop. The keyboard was going out on my old one and I don’t have the time or patience for a repair shop. Several of the keys on my keyboard weren’t working, and none of the diagnostic tests or reinstalling drivers were working. Hardware issues are beyond my ability to deal with right now.
I have too many things on my plate to deal with, the laundry list of things to get done seeming to grow faster than I can cross them off.
11 days left until my launch date.
