For the fourth day in a row, I've gotten some major writing time in. I'm starting, finally, to swing the momentum in my favor.

Chapter 10 will probably prove to be the longest or second longest chapter in The Do Over, and it demanded a lot of polish. Chapter 11 looks to be fairly long, as well, but I expect to be able to get at least halfway through that one tomorrow (Friday).

In other news...

A few of us who are at about the same point in developing our novels have issued a challenge to each other to finish the first effing complete draft of our respective novels by the end of February.

The stakes are high. Or, I should say, the steaks.

At the end of February or at the beginning of March, we're going to dinner at el Gaucho in downtown Seattle. Anyone who hasn't completed the first draft of his or her novel by then is going to assume responsibility for the bill. If we are all done on time, then we'll all split the tab and celebrate our mutual success.

So far, three of us are committed to this "el Gaucho Challenge". We're hoping to bring on a fourth or fifth person, as well.

I have another deadline. The next revision of Chapter 1 needs to be ready to submit for the PNWA contest by February 14th. That's a lot of writing to do in the next four weeks.

Believe it or not, though, there's more going on in my life than just writing (now that I'm writing). Perhaps I'll get to that in my next entry....