How do you feel about failure?
I take on Icarian tasks all the time, knowing that failure is the likely outcome. There is no amount of effort or motivation that will get you through this, except if the stars align, and you get your shit together.
Thus, my attempt to write a book in 45 days was an Icarian task, not because it was overly impossible, but I knew around day 16 that I was not going to make it.
At day 16, I realized my chapters were too long, and the plot was drifting away from the outline. I also had to rewrite everything up to that point. It was a lot of fun experience. (I will give you the lessons and explanations of what happened in the next seven days.)
But now I have thrown around the word Icarian three times without explaining it to you.
What is an Icarian task?
Remember Icarus from Greek mythology? How he flew too close to the sun and fell into the sea, drowning?
Yes.
Now, an Icarian task is when you do not listen to the warning of others around you. You set too high expectations for yourself and then fail.
Was it possible to write a book in 45 days?
From planning to writing the words “the end”, it is actually possible.
Here is how it should have gone.
Day 1-3: Planning and outlining. You can do research as you go for things that come up. But in these three days, come up with a story idea, write a plot summary, create a story outline, write a chapter guide, create a character list with little description for each character.
Day 4-10: Create a steady flow. Writing goal of 1,500 words a day with time and space to go over it. As long as you retain an average of 1,360 words per day for the entire process.
Day 11: Take a break. Leave the house and go do something creative or that works your body. You can paint at a park, play in the rain, hike, go sailing, visit a museum, and so much more. Do things that life your spirit and ease your soul.
Day 12-19: Write. You know your rhythm by now and how your characters feel. Try making your chapters 1,300 to 2,000 words long and nothing over that. Very few authors get away with long chapters. Though, I hope to do that one day, I want to start off small.
Day 20: Take a break. Cook something you like, well that’s if you like cooking. Listen to an audiobook, go hiking, take a prisoner of war and ask them about their live.
Day 21-28: You are close to the climax by now. Your rising action should have risen and your characters introduced. Think of this as a shitty first draft. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but you do want to get your ideas onto the page.
Day 29: You guessed it, take a break. Spend some time in nature. Go to a comedy show, take a friend to dinner and movie. Do things that feed your soul.
Day 30-37: The climax is at hand. Things are getting heated. Depending on the outline of the story and the several subplots you have, there is hope for a fake climax here. Use it to be nefarious, make your readers cry.
Day 38: It’s time to take a break. Sleep in for a change. Have a nice cup of tea and remember why you like writing in the first place.
Day 39-45: The finale. Take this time to wrap up the story. If you find you have time and a bit of energy left, add an epilogue.
There is a lot to be said about how I tried to do this process and failed. I will post that next time.
For now, I want you to consider, if this would work for you and what changes you would make. Looking at this, I am thinking of trying this process again. But with a bit more structure and determination to find a story idea that would work in this format.
Let the record show, that this format fits books in the 50,000 to 60,000 word count domain.
See you tomorrow, friend.
Jona Nightingale 