This year’s novel-in-a-month is underway. I’m calling it His Black Wings. (Working title.)

By the end of the day, I’m supposed to have 11,655 words written. Currently I’m at 8,730…I’m already falling behind. (More coffee, less wine.)

Last year’s novel was easier to write; everything just flowed from beginning to end, for 52,000 words.

This year’s project is more ambitious: It alternates between the troubled main character’s present and past. Some of the scenes just spring to life, while other times I sit here wondering what the next major scene will involve. As soon as I figure that out, I’m rolling along, even if it’s something simple, like “goes to visit his brother.”

I need a few high impact days this week to stay on track.