As I stated previously, I decided to write China Tour, a novel, as my next work-in-progress. I came to this conclusion around October 24, and began work on it in earnest the next week. As I have time to write, I work on that. As of last night, the word count stands at just short of 17,000, I think.

I say “I think” because yesterday I wrote on two computers: the desktop in The Dungeon and my laptop upstairs. I concluded my work on the desktop about 6:00 p.m., came upstairs, ate supper, then went to my reading/writing chair in the living room and decided to write some more there, while the television was going. It’s not an efficient way to write, and I hate hate hate a laptop keyboard. However, once I finished there for the evening I had 1,648 words in a new file. Added to the 2,200 I wrote in the afternoon, and the 13,200 (more or less) I had at the end of the day Saturday, that should put me somewhere around 17,000. I said a little below above, but maybe it’s a little more. I’ll know tonight when I merge the files.

I just finished the fourth chapter, the one that includes the first “plot point.” For those unfamiliar with term, it refers to that action about 1/4 to 1/3 into the book which motivates the hero to continue on the quest. In this case, I have two heroes, Roger and Sandra Brownwell, the tourist couple who become embroiled in the CIA operation in China. The need for them to participate in the operation has been presented, they have argued about it, and the necessary juggling act to make it work is about to happen. Sandra is most unhappy, Roger more accepting. I really don’t want to say much more, for to do so will give too much away. Let’s just say that their marriage, which was already troubled, will really be stretched as they cooperate with the CIA.

My main problem now is to sustain momentum. Thanksgiving is coming. Our company will be here on the 18th, and not leave till the 25th. I don’t know how much writing I’ll get done during that time. Also, I’m at a point in the book that I haven’t thought too much about, so I’ll be writing each scene and chapter from scratch. I did that for the middle of Doctor Luke’s Assistant, and it worked pretty good there. Hopefully this won’t bog me down, and as I write one scene what the next scene needs to be will become clear. A few scenes have come to mind, such as when they get to the terra-cotta army in Xian.

Stay tune to this channel for updates. Right now, at the pace I’m going and considering the holiday period, I expect to wrapping up the first draft sometime in early February.