Progress Report

Whew! Dear Reader, I am pleased to report that I've finally slogged my way out of the middle section of my novel. Editing out 7,000 words and re-incorporating around 2,000 of those words (for a net savings of 5,000 words! w00t!) took two full weeks. Yikes! This editing pass is moving more slowly than I'd anticipated -- as you can tell by the original progress goal still posted in my left sidebar.

I'm going to wrap up this editing pass by this Friday, no ifs, ands, or buts. It's going to happen. Then I can move on to editing pass number two, which will take a different form than the current line-by-line edit. Details will be forthcoming.

And on a random, interesting note ... from Lapham's Quarterly, a fascinating look at famous historical authors, their day jobs, and their salaries (adjusted for inflation).

Click for a closer look. Wow, Charlotte Bronte's career really sucked. 

Expense of washing clothes was deducted from her own pay? Worst. Job. Ever.

I've never had illusions that I'd make bank, or even a modest living, being a writer. The Stephen Kings and George R.R. Martins are a rare, rare breed in this line of work; like actors who make a (fanastically overpaid) living with their art -- the Robert Downeys and Cate Blanchetts -- as opposed to the thousands of actors who have day jobs as baristas and waiters. Seeing that reality in an historical context is a cold splash of water!

Finally, because it's Monday and I feel like it, here's some MI-5. Because there's always time for MI-5.

Poor Adam, he never catches a real break.