The new book, "Paper Trail," is written. It's not complete, but it is written. This is the first stage. I have about 292 pages and 70,000 words so far. It will be about 315 pages when it's finished and maybe around 75,000 words. It is supposed to be a comedy murder thriller, so I have to go back and add more funny parts, because I was too focused on writing to include the humor while I was writing. I may upload it to AI and ask the machine to make it funny. How scary is that?
I'll read through it in a few days and decide whether I need to make it funny or leave it as is. I simply have no idea. I haven't read it. I know I wrote it, but I haven't read it. I wonder how many people will find that strange to say. When I write, I do it in chapters. I write out "this chapter will say this" or something like that, and then I write it. I don't always take the time to try and be funny -- it's something maybe I need to work on, you know, if it's supposed to be a comedy, that would be a good thing to do.
If I read it, like it, and it's not funny, I'll just claim it's a murder book without the comedy added, and produce it. You just never know. I wrote the thing in under a week. That should tell you straight up just how focused I was on getting the words out and onto paper. I say paper. I wrote them on the computer - the Word document looks like paper, but you and I both know it isn't. It is fun, though - I had a great time writing it, but the computer did blip out on me once - right in the middle of a chapter and I nearly passed out!
I glanced up and saw that the Auto Save was on, so I took a deep breath! Damn! It's one of those things that can send an author into sheer panic mode. Glitches!!! So, the book is written. Tomorrow and over the weekend, I will format it, go through it for corrections, and then send it up for the first printed copy in about a week. I'll get it back, make the corrections, and send it back up for final publication, print, and sale. I'm thinking first of December, but I'm not in any rush. This is the fastest I have ever written a book, and it was one of those tests to see if I could write a book in a week -- I can.
I don't think I would want to do that on a weekly or even monthly basis, but now, if someone asks me what the fastest book I have ever written was, I can say, "Paper Trail." I wrote it in just six days. I now have to tweak it, and that may take a week, but I got all 70,000 words out of my head and onto the computer's fake pages in just six days. The process is not perfect. I don't and wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I think taking your time is always best, but I was being a bit competitive with myself.
The thing about being competitive with yourself is that you win. You never really lose. You either win, or you win. You beat yourself, or you don't, and if you don't, you still win because you won by not winning. I think you understand where I'm coming from. I'm going to try to find words and situations like that to fluff and stuff the manuscript this weekend. If I said it was going to be a funny book, it needs to be a funny book! I just have to figure out where to place the humor and where not to—that could make a difference.
OK, so there you have it: "Paper Trail", my 24th book, is a modern-day (2000) book taking place at the start of the 21st century in Oklahoma. It takes you through Bethany, dips into Yukon, rattles around the Oklahoma City Zoo, and lets you experience a little of the history and culture I grew up with. Bethany, Oklahoma, was a wonderful place to live. I lived at 2212 N. Mueller for about 18 years straight before heading out to Hollywood, then out on my own. I wouldn't live there now; it's changed more than once, not necessarily for the better, but the memories in my head cannot be altered. They are stuck there - and I love it.
I may have to write about something that happened to me at the creek on 19th Street—that should add a bit of color and humor. I'll keep it a secret until you read the book - if you find it, you can let me know what you think. Did it really happen, or am I just blowing smoke? You'll never know unless you ask. Of course, you could always follow the paper trail —it's out there.
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