Or, how many hours does it take to write a chapter of a story? Some people have been concerned I'm not putting as much effort into UC (which, lets face it, is a far better story than CBWR). Really, this all comes does to time in my life and math.
Time and effort into a chapter:
UC - average, 15-20 hours to write. This is for 5000-8000 words. Once done, I re-read and edit three times (add 2-4 hours). Then it goes through beta (may be 2-3 days before I get it back, sometimes quicker, sometimes longer). Then I edit it again. Then I read it all again, sometimes twice. Add another 1-2 hours. Total time, not including beta - 18- 26 hours.
CBWR? - average, 30-45 minutes to write. Sometimes less. 500-1200 words. One read-through when it's done. No beta. Total time - 1 hour. Maybe.
So, if you wonder how I can get 5-6 chapters of CBWR? posted and none of UC, that's the crux of the answer. As I may have mentioned, I've been at work pretty much constantly this week. 60-70 hours, I haven't really counted since I don't get overtime. I normally work 50-60.
So - see where my writing time went this week? Straight to work. :)
I have been writing CBWR in between conference calls and system validation because it is just an exercise for me, the plot is straight forward, the characters are only mildly developed, and I don't have to concentrate like I do for UC. It shows, too. As a couple people have pointed out, CBWR is no where near my best work. Compared to SB or UC? CBWR sucks, big time. LOL
UC has an insanely complicated plot, with all kinds of intricacies that I have to concentrate on when I'm writing so I don't screw it up and have to re-write a bunch of stuff ten chapters later. The characters are far more developed with a lot more involvement with each other. Remember how someone ended up creating a family tree page just to keep everyone straight? And those were only the people who are related to each other! The more UC I write, the more I think it's going to end up being 50 chapters or more as well. I also write UC WAY in advance. Yesterday, aside from doing 4-5 hours on chapter 19, I also wrote a good chunk of what will probably be in chapter 23 or 24.
So again - don't panic about UC. I am working on it FAR MORE than I am working on CBWR, you just don't see it right away. I've missed one or two weeks of updates out of the last 16, including holidays and when I've been on vacation. It is by no means an after thought.
Thanks for supporting all of my endeavors. I'm really glad to know people are so into UC that they are worried about it - that makes it worth all the hours I put into it. Now relax, enjoy the rest of your weekend, and hang in there. Hopefully work calms down this week. :)
Time and effort into a chapter:
UC - average, 15-20 hours to write. This is for 5000-8000 words. Once done, I re-read and edit three times (add 2-4 hours). Then it goes through beta (may be 2-3 days before I get it back, sometimes quicker, sometimes longer). Then I edit it again. Then I read it all again, sometimes twice. Add another 1-2 hours. Total time, not including beta - 18- 26 hours.
CBWR? - average, 30-45 minutes to write. Sometimes less. 500-1200 words. One read-through when it's done. No beta. Total time - 1 hour. Maybe.
So, if you wonder how I can get 5-6 chapters of CBWR? posted and none of UC, that's the crux of the answer. As I may have mentioned, I've been at work pretty much constantly this week. 60-70 hours, I haven't really counted since I don't get overtime. I normally work 50-60.
So - see where my writing time went this week? Straight to work. :)
I have been writing CBWR in between conference calls and system validation because it is just an exercise for me, the plot is straight forward, the characters are only mildly developed, and I don't have to concentrate like I do for UC. It shows, too. As a couple people have pointed out, CBWR is no where near my best work. Compared to SB or UC? CBWR sucks, big time. LOL
UC has an insanely complicated plot, with all kinds of intricacies that I have to concentrate on when I'm writing so I don't screw it up and have to re-write a bunch of stuff ten chapters later. The characters are far more developed with a lot more involvement with each other. Remember how someone ended up creating a family tree page just to keep everyone straight? And those were only the people who are related to each other! The more UC I write, the more I think it's going to end up being 50 chapters or more as well. I also write UC WAY in advance. Yesterday, aside from doing 4-5 hours on chapter 19, I also wrote a good chunk of what will probably be in chapter 23 or 24.
So again - don't panic about UC. I am working on it FAR MORE than I am working on CBWR, you just don't see it right away. I've missed one or two weeks of updates out of the last 16, including holidays and when I've been on vacation. It is by no means an after thought.
Thanks for supporting all of my endeavors. I'm really glad to know people are so into UC that they are worried about it - that makes it worth all the hours I put into it. Now relax, enjoy the rest of your weekend, and hang in there. Hopefully work calms down this week. :)
