Checkmate

Yep, my chess player has finally been checkmated. Thank God. Here’s a snapshot of some ms stats:

*Number of times entire ms rewritten – 3
*Number of times beginning rewritten – 6
*Size of ‘deleted scenes’ folder – 227k
*Number of times hero/heroine conflict changed – 3
*Number of times I wanted to kill hero/heroine – 20
*Number of tantrums pulled while writing – 50
*Number of times I wanted to give up in disgust – 100
*Number of times I DID give up in disgust – 100
*Number of times cried while writing – 5
*Number of working versions of present ms – 8
*Number of titles decided on – 0

So there we go. That’s my chess player in a nutshell.

I know, some people are probably going to think I’m out of my tree for writing a chess playing hero. Probably some editors are going to think I’m out of my tree too. Perhaps I am. But one thing’s for sure, I’ve learned a hell of a lot writing this monster, about conflict, about pacing, about tension, about character. And most especially, I’ve learned to be able to tell when I’m holding my characters back and not letting them do what they want to do.

Who knows if anyone bar the CPs will ever get to read it? I hope it gets somewhere. If not in print, then on screen. I really do. But at this point in time, I’m simply not able to assess anything about this story. 

I don’t know if it’s good. I don’t know if it’s bad. I know I like it. I know I like my cold bastard hero and my stroppy, explosive heroine. 

Perhaps at the moment that’s enough.

16 thoughts on “Checkmate”

  1. OMG Jackie, I’m in awe of the size of your deleted scenes file! I deleted nearly 50K from my latest book, and I thought that was scary enough 🙂

    Congratulations on finishing it! I love the sound of a chess playing hero, personally 🙂

  2. I’m with Leah, I love the sound of chessman. It’s different, and that appeals to me. Yikes, those deleted scenes! And I definitely think it’s enough that you like it. I like mine, and I’m happy with that.

    Those stats are pretty impressive. I laughed at the number of times you wanted to kill your characters! I know the feeling. Did you ever give in to that urge, and perhaps there’s a death or two in your deleted scenes folder? 😉

  4. Leah – I’m insane, I know. I can barely believe I’ve got five books in that damn file. You’re doing just fine with 50! But cheers re the chess player. I like him too. 🙂

    Madeline – Well, glad to hear the chessman has two potential fans at least! Yeah, that deleted scene folder is…certifiable. And killing characters? Oh yeah! I think I underestimated that. But you know I haven’t ever written one. Maybe I should. It would be cathartic! 🙂

  9. Rach – Hahaha! So it’s true, I AM crazy!

    Scarlet – Yup. I know. Though I’m not sure happy is the right word.

    Julia – thanks! I’ve been looking at that folder as an insight into how mistaken I’ve been about what I’m trying to do but maybe accomplishment is a better way of looking at it. 🙂

  11. Thats brilliant Jackie. Very pleased for you and I have always had a good feeling about the chessman.

    Fingers crossed for when you hit send! This book deserves the chance to be read by the world (lets think big I say!!)

    Nina x

  12. Kerrin – 🙂

    Nina – you’re a star! Thanks for the confidence. Who knows re my chessman? I have no confidence in anything at the moment but it’s fab that other people do.

  13. Jackie, I’m so thrilled to see you’ve finished this story – for now, at least.>g< It inspires me to keep going with my own "monster". I wish you all the best for submission and remember, the difference between an unpublished author and a published one, is that the published one didn't give up 🙂

  14. Amanda – hello m’dear!! Thank you. Can’t wait till you finish yours – which WILL be soon right? 🙂
    As to submission…chessman ain’t going anywhere right now but it’s nice he’s done at least.

Comments are closed.