Trim, Trim, Trim Challenge: Update 8

Okay, so someday I will be done this. Really. I’m just slow because I am analyzing each and every word. And today, I blasted 870 of them away. Gone.

I started at 103,669 and now find myself at 97,091. Not bad, eh? Who says you can’t trim that manuscript down with a chainsaw? I mean, uh, keyboard? And I am halfway through. It’s only taken me two weeks. (I only worked 9 of the 14 days though, does that make it seem better?) Yes, I might be slow, but it will pay off. It will. It will.

(And yes, I feel a bit ridiculous posting update 8. But a promise is a promise. I said I’d do daily updates (didn’t I?) and so here I am, keeping my word…even if it takes me 20 updates to get to the post where I say, “I’m DONE!”)

Trim, Trim, Trim Challenge: Update 7

My goodness, how many updates are there going to be?

Today, I beat the word count yo-yo and have snitched this baby down to 98, 070 words. I never thought it would be possible. And I’m not even half way through. What am I down? 5000 crazy words or something like that? Wow.

If you’ve been disbelieving about your word count, go take out everything ‘that goes without saying’ and see where you end up. Hopefully with a nice, tight story.

Trim, Trim, Trim Challenge: Update 6

Yesterday started out frustrating with the edits. I would dip down to 99, 730s, then shoot back up to 100,000. Back and forth, back and forth. Argh!

But, I’m pleased to say by the end of the day–moments before crashing for the night, I got to my goal–below 99,000.

Where is my word count? 98,999. And still trucking!

Trim, Trim, Trim Challenge: Update 5

Mood status: Much better.

Eye status: Still crossed and slightly achy.

Caffeine status: Way too high.

Chocolate status: Also much better.

Chance of diversion from task at hand status: Not applicable. Done editing for the day.

Number of favoured phrases deleted status: Still one.

Impact of deletion of ‘my babies’ status: I’m over it.

Pre-challenge word count: 103, 669

Current word count status: 99, 936

Mood status in relation to lowered word count: WOOOOO! I broke 100,000. I wasn’t sure if it was possible. Honey, anything is possible! I can fly, I can fly! I can…ouch! Hell, that hurts. (Can’t fly after all.)

Trim, Trim, Trim Challenge: Update 4

Mood status: Cranky.

Eye status: Crossed and slightly achy.

Caffeine status: High.

Chocolate status: Low.

Chance of diversion from task at hand status: Exceedingly high.

Number of favoured phrases deleted status: One.

Impact of deletion of ‘my babies’ status: Tissues may be required.

Pre-challenge word count: 103, 669

Current word count status: 100, 595

Mood status in relation to lowered word count: Disappointed. Although I’m doing better than I expected, I have worked really, really hard for those 3000 words and it doesn’t feel like much at the moment.