NNWM/14: Point of No Return

November 14, 2016

1–2 minutes

Today I hit page 100 in my novel.

(Well, technically, 101. I wasn’t at a good stopping place yet, so…)

This is very exciting for me! I said a long time ago that reaching page 100 is not only an accomplishment but a crucial milestone, as well; to me, it legitimizes the work-in-progress and represents the point of no return. If I have devoted 100 pages toward a novel, there is no way I’m going to turn back. I don’t know what the total word count will end up at. No Time For Kings was 324. This one could go 75 pages shorter or 50 pages longer. Who knows? Without an outline, all I can offer is a wild guess.

But one thing is certain: I will finish it now. I have no doubt.

I’m curious about other writers out there. When do you reach that point where you know there is no turning back? Feel free to weigh in!

Word Count Today: 1,238.
Total Word Count: 25,443.

4 responses to “NNWM/14: Point of No Return”

Ron

November 15, 2016 at 4:43 pm

*applause and cheers*

Way to go, Mark! That’s awesome!!! I admire your drive, sticktoitiveness, and dedication!

Bravo!

LikeLike

Reply
1. Mark Petruska
  
  November 15, 2016 at 6:45 pm
  
  I vow to include one use of the word “sticktoitiveness” in my novel in tribute to your comment, Ron. Just watch me – I’m a-gonna do it now!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
Pamela Morris

November 16, 2016 at 7:37 am

CONGRATS on that 100th page! Go, YOU!

Truth be told, I’ve never really thought about it. Oddly, at around 30 pages I almost always have a stalling point. It’s as if my brain needs to take a step back and consider the situation for an undetermined amount of time. The time can last anywhere from three weeks to six months … or more! It’s also why I usually have more then one work in progress at any given time. Whichever one screams the loudest gets my attention until one completely takes over.

LikeLike

Reply
1. Mark Petruska
  
  November 16, 2016 at 7:52 am
  
  I like reading about how other authors approach the process of writing. It’s amazing how unique we all are! I like yours, but considering I seem to take 5 years on average to complete a novel, this multiple-books-at-one-time method probably wouldn’t work so well for me.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply