Novel Writing in November 2025

It’s November and lots of people are plugging forward with their writing projects. I am no exception. When I last wrote, I talked about “locking in” for the next three months to work on my novel. October saw only 4,000 words added to my WIP (Work in Progress), but I’m happy with that. I got really sick for about a week and just couldn’t find my groove. I’m glad more words were added and at least I feel like the writing is moving forward.

This month I have continued to work on my novel. I’m currently about to revise Chapter 6 (out of 20) and I hope to get through to Chapter 10 by November 30. I think if I can get there, I will be in good shape to start December with half the book revised. I don’t have a word count for this month yet. I’ve kind of avoided looking. I’m just working on each chapter until I feel like it is complete. Hopefully, I will get past 60K when this is all said and done.

In general, I don’t worry much about word counts. My attitude has always been “This story is as long as it needs to be.” But, I’m not ignorant of the publishing world. Most novels need to be 70,000 words or more. I’m hoping to get to 60,000. I think if I do that, my book will at least have a fighting chance. There have been a few short novels published in the last few years. So the more I flesh this book out, the better.

And I have to make sure I don’t add bloat. I have to find that fine line between expansion and overload. So far, I feel good about the extra words. I think the revised sections are better and that encourages me to go forward.

It’s funny. I looked at my journals to when I first got the idea for this novel. It was sometime in July 2023. Hard to believe, but that was 2 ½ years ago. Back then it was just and idea. Now it’s a manuscript!

Also, let’s not forget about my other children – my short stories. They are off in the world being considered for publication. So far, there have been nothing but rejections. But I have faith they will find a home.

I have two more stories that I could write, but I’ll hold off until I get through the novel. Maybe when the second revision of the novel is stewing, I’ll complete these pieces. A nice distraction before I dive into novel revision #3.

What I’m watching on TV.

Currently, I’m diving into a scifi show I never got into when it was on – The Expanse. So far, I like it. There aren’t too many actual science fiction shows in TV, so it is nice to watch an older one I missed. All the talk around A.I. and space travel in the real world makes me want to enjoy some good scifi.

What I’m reading.

Currently reading and loving Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor.

Hope everyone is doing well and writing well. Happy Thanksgiving (if you celebrate). See you in December.