==================================
DECEMBER 2024
26/12
Never been 100% happy with ending on a cliff-hanger. Felt a bit cowardly because I was doing so simply as I didn't know HOW to end it. Always had very vague notions. Sat down and really thought where else the story could go and if I could find an ending I'm happy with. Can it work at the end of this book or does the cliff-hanger now serve a purpose...?
---------------------------------------------------------
20/12
Finished latest Ryan scene.
---------------------------------------------------------
13/12
On with Ryan scene, near end of it.
---------------------------------------------------------
12/12
Another big planning day. Planned out more detail on all scenes to the end, emphasis on what dates / day or night they happen.
---------------------------------------------------------
05/12
On with Ryan scene. Chat with Benji. Worked back through for Jason Worral stuff.
---------------------------------------------------------
04/12
Sorted the ended for previous Albert scene, wasn't happy with it. Done more solid opening for next Ryan scene. Added some section headers up to end of Part 3 to see pacing and plan notes.
---------------------------------------------------------
03/12
Big planning day! Had a stress realising Ryan's friend group was now a 3 when most of the planned end scenes were for 2! Shifted some stuff around, think I have enough plans to make it work now. Juuuust started next Ryan scene.
---------------------------------------------------------
02/12
Finished Thompson night scene.
==================================
NOVEMBER 2024
30/11
Bridged the Albert friend - Thompson night scene.
---------------------------------------------------------
29/11
Finished friend update in Part 3. Merging Albert friend update and Thompson night. Tying off the meet with Ryan to do so. Had a fun moment. Just need to wrap up the meeting.
---------------------------------------------------------
27/11
Finished Kara house scenes! No further additions needed, officially back up to where I was before adding her!
---------------------------------------------------------
25/11
Progressing Kara house scene. Literally just need closing lines.
---------------------------------------------------------
24/11
Near end of Kara house scenes. Brought forward a bit of Albert to break up this quite long Ryan section. Need a modified ending to create the split.
---------------------------------------------------------
21/11
Big push - redid ending of cafe scene (didn't save before?), added for football bits for Linas, halfway through new Kara house scenes after the Part 2 revs.
---------------------------------------------------------
11/11
Finished cafe scene! Cut following grumbles in the scene that follow, to fit. Lightly checked through for other inconsistencies.
---------------------------------------------------------
07/11
Progressing on cafe scene. Near to the end. Need to figure out HOW to end.
---------------------------------------------------------
06/11
Small progress on cafe scene. Changing whole ending of it / tone to better fit new story changes. Still bouncing to other edits.
---------------------------------------------------------
05/11
Working on added Kara to cafe scene. Bounced around for other small edits.
---------------------------------------------------------
03/11
Hopped back to Part 1, finally added Ryan's room.
---------------------------------------------------------
02/11
Invented Kara's family for later scene, swapping Linas out for her, give some spotlight.
---------------------------------------------------------
01/11
Kara additions in Part 2.
==================================
OCTOBER 2024
27/10
Kara additions in Part 2.
---------------------------------------------------------
23/10
Finished all Kara additions in Part 1. Smidge of other minor edits in Part 1.
---------------------------------------------------------
21/10
99% finished additions to Ryan 2.
---------------------------------------------------------
19/10
Tweaked opening again. Committed to added Kara throughout. Done with opening. Started on Ryan scene 2.
---------------------------------------------------------
03/10
Some small progress on refining next Ryan scene.
---------------------------------------------------------
01/10
Finished typing up later important Albert scene. Happy with the end result. Needs a solid beginning.
==================================
SEPTEMBER 2024
29/09
Typed up next Albert scene. Needs a solid beginning and ending.
---------------------------------------------------------
28/09
Finally pieced together "what now?" scene in such a way I think I'm happy with it. Put in a few more parts for consistency for when get to the next important Linas scene.
---------------------------------------------------------
25/09
More tweaks to the opening. Not happy with first line.
---------------------------------------------------------
16/09
More tweaks to opening sections. Added some Kara, need more.
---------------------------------------------------------
15/09
Finished beta read. Tweaking opening again. Added 'the scratch' to better fit in with altered plotlines. Working out new direction for the "what now?" scene in Part 3. Reworked the entire Linas subplot.
==================================
AUGUST 2024
22/08
Started next Albert scene, handwritten.
---------------------------------------------------------
21/08
Started scene notes for separate important Ryan + Linas scene.
---------------------------------------------------------
19/08
Work may flow, agreed to a beta-read. Added more scene notes for later important Ryan + Linas scene.
---------------------------------------------------------
16/08
Handwriting pieces of future scenes. Jumping around a bit. Did 99% of an important upcoming Albert scene.
---------------------------------------------------------
15/08
Working out better alternative to last scene. Was a lot of fake conflict for little to no reason. Finding a new focus for the driving goal in Part 3.
---------------------------------------------------------
13/08
Finished the scene. Not 100% happy upon review, feel may need some intense editing.
---------------------------------------------------------
10/08
Typed up pages. Added some notes on how later scene plays out.
---------------------------------------------------------
09/08
Started next Ryan scene, handwritten (doing that more often in day-job now, not complaining!) Was without my notes again though so got a bit directionless. May not get used.
---------------------------------------------------------
08/08
Still handwritten, finished Albert scene. Happy with how the future between them discussion came out.
---------------------------------------------------------
06/08
Still handwritten, on with the Albert scene, to dowry joke. Skipped back into Part 2 to redo the practical experiment scene. Flipped the result and got to make the scene much more ominous. Also now lines up better with the solidified Part 3 & 4 plans.
---------------------------------------------------------
05/08
Back to handwritten, on with Albert scene, up to further study discussion. Once again, unsure if re-tread of a previous scene.
---------------------------------------------------------
04/08
Finally finished up previous Ryan scene. Prior days were mostly handwritten. Typed those up and soft edits.
---------------------------------------------------------
02/08
Skipped BACK on to the Albert scene whilst figuring out final lines on previous. Up re-meet.
---------------------------------------------------------
01/08
Ironed out the end of the skipped-over Ryan scene. Happy with re arrangement. NOW just need the final lines for it.
==================================
JULY 2024
31/07
Not quite happy with the end of the scene as written. Did it by hand without references but feels like a re-tread of an earlier scene. Skipped ahead to next Albert scene instead. Up to planning for Thompson.
---------------------------------------------------------
30/07
Mostly finished Ryan scene, just need to figure out final lines.
---------------------------------------------------------
29/07
On with Ryan scene, up to disowning joke.
---------------------------------------------------------
28/07
Finished Albert scene, unexpectedly led to me injecting some sympathy/greater understanding of Grassley. Started the next Ryan scene, not originally planned, feels better than a summary.
---------------------------------------------------------
23/07
Started Part 3 opening Albert scene. By and large just him getting to be a happy boyo now. Good for him.
---------------------------------------------------------
21/07
Let Part 3 settle, think all good now. Got overexcited and planned out Part 4 as well, seeing as it's really just the finale. Happy with how that's looking too. Need to get on and write now!
---------------------------------------------------------
17/07
Think all Part 3 down now, just need to look over it a few times, make sure it flows before I commit.
---------------------------------------------------------
16/07
Still nailing down Part 3 plot points.
---------------------------------------------------------
15/07
Planning Part 3 scenes.
---------------------------------------------------------
14/07
Finished Albert scene. Blazed straight into Ryan. Got it done in one go. A shorter scene, but climactic so had a lot of pre-thought already. With that, PART 2 IS DONE!!
---------------------------------------------------------
10/07
Almost finished the scene, just need to figure out how to round it off.
---------------------------------------------------------
09/07
Into the meat of the Albert scene and big talk. Midway through.
---------------------------------------------------------
08/07
Started next Albert scene. Feel like it came out well, in that Albert's misery is pretty palpable. Poor lad.
---------------------------------------------------------
07/07
Finished the scene! Really happy with how it ended up.
---------------------------------------------------------
06/07
Big push - got 90% of the scene done, up to the next morning.
---------------------------------------------------------
05/07
Tiny but of progress. Ryan putting his plan into action.
---------------------------------------------------------
04/07
Continuing on with the scene. Up to Ryan hatching his plan.
---------------------------------------------------------
02/07
Got down the bare beats of the conversation. Just need to flesh them out.
---------------------------------------------------------
01/07
On with the scene. Up to Benji saying what he thinks of himself.
==================================
JUNE 2024
30/06
Anniversary train ride home! But I was dopey so only got a few lines down. Benji has arrived for Big Important Scene 1.
29/06
Anniversary train ride to London! So got a little more work done. Finished the connective scene, leaving Linas house. Got to start of Big Important Scene 1.
---------------------------------------------------------
28/06
Solid morning - but had to do wedding anniversary crafts in the afternoon. Got down the rough framework for Big Important Scene 1. Now just to do it!
---------------------------------------------------------
27/06
Very focussed morning, less so in the afternoon, but still got work done. Upon reflection will not meet the 50% target. But in my defence, what we 'little connective scenes' between the BIG moments, actually deserved more work than I thought. Got some good stuff down.
---------------------------------------------------------
26/06
More focussed today, yet less words down in total? Lots of firmer planning for the scenes to come. Finished the scene from yesterday. But leaves me -1 scene compared to where I wanted to be by this point in the week.
---------------------------------------------------------
25/06
Whilst I technically got more words down this day, it felt a lot looser over all. Many more breaks and getting up to pace. Plus had afternoon errands to do and then struggled to get back into a flow. Scrounged up some extra hours in the evening. Didn't finish the scene.
---------------------------------------------------------
24/06
Have a week off the day-job, so attempting to be a "Full-Time Writer" i.e. working 9-5 (as much as I'm able) just writing. Taking the method of 'allowed to NOT write, but not allowed to do anything else'. Goal to have Not Technically Ghosts reach the 50% mark by the end of the week. This first day was very successful! Finished the scene I was on and half of the one which follows!
---------------------------------------------------------
21/06
Continue time-test scene, moved the mirror, left the message.
---------------------------------------------------------
20/06
Progressed on with time-test scene, up to what they're actually doing.
---------------------------------------------------------
19/06
Segued out of the summary into new time-experiment scene. Maybe cut earlier butterfly-effect discussion, so not as hesitant here?
---------------------------------------------------------
18/06
Into next Ryan scene, started/done summary - planning a new scene to confirm can/can't change time.
---------------------------------------------------------
17/06
Finished the scene, tied off nicely.
---------------------------------------------------------
04/06
Got to near end of scene, discuss Discovery, Albert cagey.
---------------------------------------------------------
03/06
On with the scene, Albert dismiss Ryan's troubles, then change mind.
---------------------------------------------------------
02/06
Small progress on the scene - up to Ryan being down about Linas.
---------------------------------------------------------
01/06
Typed up the rest of the Linas scene, made some edits as I went. Got started on the next Albert scene, up to Ryan appearing.
==================================
MAY 2024
31/05
Handwritten the rest of the debrief, liking how it came out unexpectedly into the fear of losing a friend/having them move on. Been thinking this is a better angle for the Linas subplot. It can still approximately resolve in the same way, so I can keep that.
---------------------------------------------------------
29/05
Started the debrief scene with Linas.
---------------------------------------------------------
24/05
Settled on a minor Benji backslide to round off Part 2. Roughly planned said scenes to come.
---------------------------------------------------------
23/05
Added the new Benji bit in the 24 hours. Weighing up if need a little backslide before there's a true turn around? Comes back around to wanting this to be a mostly light story, but there are parts (like this) where the stakes feel too low.
---------------------------------------------------------
22/05
Finished first mum call scene. Planning the specifics of Benji part at beginning of 24 hour scenes.
---------------------------------------------------------
21/05
Started first mum call scene.
---------------------------------------------------------
20/05
Planned where to finally add the mum phone-calls also remainder of Benji parts.
---------------------------------------------------------
18/05
Finished the noon meet-up. 24-hours scenes DONE!
---------------------------------------------------------
17/05
Progressed Albert noon meeting a little bit. Planned out 80% of the big scenes leading up to the end of Part 2, including new scene pep-talk with Osmuld?
---------------------------------------------------------
16/05
Tied off the end of the scene with Thompson, passed the remainder of the hours including scene with the rest of the trio. Got to start of Ryan reappearance.
---------------------------------------------------------
14/05
On with Albert scene, got Thompson arriving and most of the scene with him that follows.
---------------------------------------------------------
13/05
Started Albert night to noon scene.
---------------------------------------------------------
11/05
Finished end of the Ryan scene, it got cuter than planned.
---------------------------------------------------------
09/05
Started Ryan side of the 24-hours, got up to meeting Albert asleep. Worked in a new bit summoning Linas to test modern side of the viewability.
---------------------------------------------------------
08/05
Tied off end of the Albert 24-hours scene.
---------------------------------------------------------
07/05
On with Albert 24-hours scene, worried it's a bit dull? Literally panicking over the ENTIRE project's worth after lunchtime writing session. --- Got over it. Was just being dramatic because struggling to get the scene going. Pressed on and got to enjoy doing the scene. Played out basically as planned, in a good way. Thinking ahead to editing, many parts feel 'floaty' think need to add some sharper lines for detail. Really build the Passageway / reference back to said features so less of characters in a void.
---------------------------------------------------------
06/05
Finished latest Ryan scene - reverse of earlier, Benji was too passive, so gave him some teeth back. Maybe have him slip up before true turn around? Went on to finish Albert pre-24-hours scene. Then same for Ryan. Then back to actual start of Albert 24-hours scene. With that, rewrite/shift to first-person-present is done and back onto new-new stuff! Whoo!
---------------------------------------------------------
04/05
Finished experiment 1, cut a nothing Ryan scene leftover and extending into next Albert section. Extended that for mutual tiredness to better fit what comes. Got onto next Ryan scene, altered for tiredness too. Unexpectedly got into half-confession to Linas. Happy with outcome, gives better connections to later parts. Need new Ryan home scene to link into tired meeting. Original scene with Benji now too severe with rewrites. ((New planned setup with Linas knowing Ryan's at C. Hall and cover for him. First idea was Ryan "practicing for school musical" but if Linas half-knows about Albert - can't "call" at home, too awkward with Dad and Benji there - that's a better fit.))
---------------------------------------------------------
03/05
Nearly got to the end of experiment 1. Shifted around the ending a little - playful competition vibe? Officially cut/moved a few other scenes to a separate doc.
---------------------------------------------------------
02/05
Done first Ryan part 2 opening and most of next Albert section, setting up experiment 1.
---------------------------------------------------------
01/05
Completed first Albert part 2 opening scene. Another of those odd little ones that I'm not certain if serves a purpose or not...
==================================
APRIL 2024
29/04
Limped to the end of the section and thus Part 1 is done, again! Had a hard time getting the Benji stuff right. Had to rework and scrap the scene three times, each scenario seeming too extreme/out of place. Think got a happy medium in the end, need to keep an eye on the tone and avoid too much whiplash as I go. Probably a focus during editing.
---------------------------------------------------------
28/04
Finished Albert scene and then basically all of the First Meeting. Just need to do the going home part.
---------------------------------------------------------
27/04
Finished Ryan getting protectives/at home scene. Tiny bit of the Albert pre-meet scene.
---------------------------------------------------------
26/04
Small movement on current Ryan scene. Dithering over how to address Benji with parents.
---------------------------------------------------------
25/04
Done redoing Albert library scene. Small start on Ryan getting ghost protectives scene.
---------------------------------------------------------
24/04
Done redoing Ryan at school scene.
---------------------------------------------------------
23/04
Done redoing Albert getting crucifix scene.
---------------------------------------------------------
22/04
Finished rewriting first Benji scene, happier with how it came out than first iteration.
---------------------------------------------------------
21/04
Settled on Benji and Linas' specific plot beats and where they come within the four parts of the story.
---------------------------------------------------------
20/04
Another push on rewriting a few scenes. More importantly had a breakthrough in how to better frame the mystery of the Passageway. NOT Albert's 'Discovery' that didn't make sense the longer I thought about it. Instead focus on how the anomaly could be dangerous and (at first) figuring out how to stop it.
---------------------------------------------------------
18/04
Continuing on with rewrites.
---------------------------------------------------------
14/04
On with reworking. Finished all of Albert's first scene in part 1. Started on Ryan's.
---------------------------------------------------------
13/04
Finished rewriting Ryan + Albert's pre-titles parts. It's officially better. Really fits this particular story. I'm not going to press on and rework everything done so far for Not Technically Ghosts into first-person-present. Also FINALLY updating my writing board so Not Technically Ghosts is officially wishally my top project.
---------------------------------------------------------
10/04
Continue first-person-present opening rewrite. Working in details I'd decided on after original writing (graveyard) and added those too.
---------------------------------------------------------
09/04
Latest part turned into what turns out to be a narratively important scene, but definitely needs to be moved elsewhere in the story, possibly as early as first talk. Then, in a merry sport, I've tried to rework the opening in first-person-present, as is the current trend for this genre. It might actually be flowing better? Need to see if it continues to work for both Ryan and Albert's parts before I make a decision. That said I've always thought the differing time-periods naturally fell into being appropriately voice-y? So maybe the majority can be transplanted as is (updating tense/pronoun)?
---------------------------------------------------------
08/04
Added a little to the end of the last Ryan scene. Still think my as-yet-untyped handwritten portion should still fit. Skipped ahead to next Albert scene as he's the next meeting POV.
==================================
MARCH 2024
OK so there was one day where I got some of a half-decent hand-written scene done in IRL work. But one of those occasions where I couldn't remember some of the preceding details so it's loose. I know, I know, it doesn't count unless I type it too...
==================================
FEBRUARY 2024
Nothing to report :( Spirit Rider seems more pressing now it's back and feels SO close to being ready. NTG has still been in mind though. Pretty sure I can now cut a character/plot-point (which I would've needed to go back and set up anyway) and have found a better way to get to the same point.
==================================
JANUARY 2024
12/01
Finished Albert scene. Started next Ryan scene to lead into Meeting 4 (First Noon)
---------------------------------------------------------
10/01
Tweaked ending of Meeting 3 scene, think like this better. Smoother. Started next Albert scene.
---------------------------------------------------------
07/01
Nudged Meeting 3 over the finish line.
---------------------------------------------------------
05/01
Small progress, nearly finished Meeting 3. Think 'Saturday is a known concept' came out roughly as well as I wanted.
---------------------------------------------------------
02/01
Small progress on Meeting 3.
---------------------------------------------------------
01/01
Typed up all handwritten holiday work.
==================================
DECEMBER 2023
WORD COUNT AS OF END DECEMBER - 12841
30/12
(Handwritten) Big session (got to airport after holiday six hours early) finished new Ryan scene, another (small) Albert scene, then back to Ryan for start of Meeting 3.
---------------------------------------------------------
27/12
(Handwritten) Finished Meeting 2.
---------------------------------------------------------
26/12
Completed new Albert scene up to start of Meeting 2.
---------------------------------------------------------
20/12
Limped to the end of the Ryan scene. Trying to work out if it's a satisfying conclusion, may need edits later. Also whilst it's quite a strong scene it's also quite harsh out of nowhere. Perhaps too dramatically charged for so early in the plot? May actually transplant it to later when all said and done?
---------------------------------------------------------
19/12
Pushed little further on the Ryan scene. Prompted me flesh out the Benji sideplot. Think I'm happy with the planned trajectory now.
---------------------------------------------------------
15/12
Completed majority of the Ryan scene. Happy with how it came out.
---------------------------------------------------------
13/12
Continuing Ryan scene, got some good progress, but dithered over one of the sideplots. Does it make sense? Do certain points make it lose dramatic tension or even paint a character too unpleasantly? Found a couple work-arounds to adjust.
---------------------------------------------------------
07/12
Started new Ryan scene.
---------------------------------------------------------
05/12
Typed up last of handwritten pages, opening scene for Part 2. Plus finally tracked back to add some important edits and expansion in Part 1.
==================================
NOVEMBER 2023
WORD COUNT AS OF END NOVEMBER - 10765
29/11
Continued planning Passage tests as well as plotting out some of the connective scenes for the sideplots between.
---------------------------------------------------------
28/11
Attempted to plan in greater detail for the rest of the upcoming plot. Emphasis upon the specific 'scientific' tests that could be run in the Passage.
==================================
OCTOBER 2023
WORD COUNT AS OF END OCTOBER - 10765
((handwritten don't count son))
08/10/23
Started new handwritten Ryan scene.
==================================
SEPTEMBER 2023
WORD COUNT AS OF END SEPTEMBER - 10765
15/09/23
Started the opening to Part 2 (handwritten). An Albert scene I managed to complete in full. Thinking more whole-story terms, from my notes everything was always sequential from start to finish. But I've been considering letting things stretch a little or have time pass. I feel it will let events be more natural and less rushed. Whilst the setup fits together mostly sequentially, I can see at least a couple of areas throughout where there can perhaps be days, rather than hours between events.
---------------------------------------------------------
01/09/23
Finally finished THE MEETING. Happy with final outcome but already seeing large areas that need edits when the time comes. Officially now part 1 of 4 completed for Not Technically Ghosts!
---------------------------------------------------------
==================================
AUGUST 2023
WORD COUNT AS OF END AUGUST - 10003
22/08/23
Piecing together the various bits of THE MEETING from its separate parts.
---------------------------------------------------------
21/08/23
Still on with THE MEETING scene. This is now in pieces between my laptop, phone, and a notepad. Each session independent of each other, going from memory. Trying to make sure the scene isn't drifting.
---------------------------------------------------------
19/08/23
Still on with THE MEETING. In planning this was originally split across two scenes. But during writing, it's working quite alright as one. To split now may just be unnecessarily dragging it out.
---------------------------------------------------------
15/08/23
Finally started on THE MEETING. Happy with the opening.
---------------------------------------------------------
15/08/23
Wrote up one more short Albert scene to tie over the gap in time. Next back to Ryan for - THE MEETING.
---------------------------------------------------------
14/08/23
Finished this Ryan scene that had been dragging on a little. Happy with it in the end, may need a little work on the opening. That section may be a prime spot for background expansion.
---------------------------------------------------------
07/08/23
Tracked back a little to actually give Ryan's dad some physical description. Moved forward with the current scene, easing through the dialogue.
---------------------------------------------------------
05/08/23
Moved a smidge further in the Ryan scene. Mentally resolved the timing conundrum.
---------------------------------------------------------
04/08/23
Further progress on the Ryan scene. Might end it shortly. Realising there's a timing conundrum I need to work out to make this and the next few scenes work.
---------------------------------------------------------
03/08/23
Finished the latest Albert scene, tied off with a satisfying ending. Made a start on next Ryan scene, really liking how this one came out. Very fun to write.
==================================
JULY 2023
WORD COUNT AS OF END JULY - 6310
31/07/23
95% finished latest Albert scene. Really liking how his convo with Miss Henshum came out.
------------------------------------------------------------
26/07/23
Tied off the last Ryan scene and made a solid start on next Albert scene. I THINK I know where this latest scene is going. There's certainly a point there, just how precisely I get there...
------------------------------------------------------------
23/07/23
Nearly finished the latest Ryan scene, got a little muddied in the arrangement of the day, but pulled it back around and moved a short convo forward. Get this part tied off, then I think I'll cut back to Albert.
------------------------------------------------------------
19/07/23
Making progress on the latest Ryan scene. Played around with how much school-life to show for both sides of the story. It does allow insight into the characters but it's not a focus. More a background. Though their attitudes towards learning ARE an important point which will come up later.
------------------------------------------------------------
17/07/23
Had spent some of the morning playing around with the introduction of Ryan's favourite film, which would have narratively tied in with things. But then came to my writing session and I realised there wasn't currently a spot for it.
Instead got on with the opening to the next Ryan scene.
------------------------------------------------------------
09/07/23
Found some ambient time to complete another Albert scene. We're a stone's throw from the pivotal 'official meeting' now!
((GRAND TOTAL WORD-COUNT -- 4743))
------------------------------------------------------------
07/07/23
No further writing, but the story so far has been dumped from my phone, into word document and formatted it - so now it's officially, officially an active project. If I'm utilising my lunch hour in IRL work, then I expect large parts of the writing will still be done on my phone and moved across each day. Did do some forward planning, considering more / moving around Albert's sub-plots so things aren't so heavily skewed towards Ryan. The story is INTENDED to be an even split.
------------------------------------------------------------
06/07/23
Finished the latest Ryan scene with his older brother. Tricky to strike the right balance in their conversation, but I'd say I got there.
((GRAND TOTAL WORD-COUNT -- 4356))