Friday, April 1, 2011

Whole Lotta Pages

Yesterday I passed the 110,000 word mark on Book Six. I have three days to finish writing and then do a quick edit, so the word count could go either way. Bear in mind, though, that Mortal Coil was about 105,000 words- so it looks like the new one will be even longer.

As I get into the last few weeks of writing a book, I tend to get a little bit paranoid. I start to wonder if, maybe, the thing I’ve written is not a book at all- maybe it’s just a collection of chapters that don’t fit together into one long story. Maybe I’ve been wasting my time. Maybe I should have abandoned this idea before I started writing, and headed off in another direction. What if it’s rubbish? What if it’s awful? What if nobody likes it?


And then I remind myself that I am, in fact, the Golden God, and everything I do is absolutely wonderful, so naturally Book Six is going to be brain-punchingly brilliant.

These last minute doubts are nothing new, of course. I always get them. I’m sure that practically every writer does. The only way through them is to have faith in yourself and your own ability, and to keep on going no matter how anxious you get. It’s not easy, to work on through your doubts, but if you ever want to be writer then it’s something you’re going to have to deal with, sooner or later.

It REALLY helps if you’re arrogant- because so long as you don’t take it seriously, arrogance can be a LOT of fun.

I wrote the last page this morning- or some of it, at least. I’m still going back through it all, linking things up, changing things, switching them around, writing and rewriting, so even though I’m on the last page, it doesn’t mean the book is finished yet. But ohhh, what a last page. The first trilogy ended with Skulduggery being sucked through a portal- an act that had severe consequences over the following three books. The end of THIS trilogy, therefore, needs to have the same kind of impact on the next three.

I’m not saying the endings are in ANY way similar, because they’re not. The Faceless Ones ended with the reader shouting “Oh God no no no NO!” whereas Book Six will end with the reader saying “oh... hell...” very, very quietly.

3,344 comments:

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Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

I'm a patient person *sits crossed legged in the corner and waits*

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

*mumbles about why she's not allowed to get 1st once in a while*

Dragona Pine said...

*throws a table across the room*


*glares at Nicolette some more*


*mumbles some curses under his breath that are not directed to anyone*

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

*stares at Brocken table*

*shrugs and hums to herself*

Dragona Pine said...

Nicolette you are allowed 1st! Remember last time huh? Yeah well you got first. I put all the effort in and then you stole it from right under my nose, you've done it again. I hope you're hapy with yourself. I never get 1st either. The only time I'm in with a chance of getting 1st I let Kallista have it because she goes crazy if she doesn't then the other times you steal it! I put all the effort in then you come along and steal it. One of my only chances too.
If I don't get 1st on the next page (discluding if Kallista is here where I let her have it) I'm going to scream :(

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

You get first a lot more then me so don't take your frustration out on me when I get first! You never have a go at anyone else!

Dragona Pine said...

I'm not getting angry with you because you got 1st. I'm getting angry with you because you stole it when I put all the effort in! You know what happened last time and it's happened again!


Look, I'm just going to go for a while. I'll come back when I've calmed down. Please stay, it won't take long. I'm just not very happy with you right now :(

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

Why should I stay?

Dragona Pine said...

Because you're my friend. And there's also a chance I will say sorry to you.

Dragona Pine said...

You still here Nicolette?

Dragona Pine said...

I'll take that as a no.

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

Yes but anyone else should of left..

Dragona Pine said...

Good. I've nearly done. Thanks for staying Nicolette :)

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

Welcome...

Dragona Pine said...

*slaps self in the head*


*smiles*


Done.



Right, just let me explain... don't get angry with me again because I'm trying to do this in the best way I can.

June Clarence said...

I so hope this is not some kind of april fool. If it is, it`s not very funny. 110 000 words?! Seriously?! Woah.

And are you SURE you never wrote a Pep Talk for NaNoWriMo? Because you definitely should. That talk about arrogance and doubts and how to overcome them was brilliant! Thanks for posting that.

Rest assured: if the chapters don`t fit together we`ll all pretend the book is a bunch of great short stories and love it anyways.

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

*sits patiently for an explanation*

Dragona Pine said...

Look, I'm sorry Nicolette. I was angry, that's all. I hope we're still friends and that you'll forgive me.
I hardly ever get first and I know you hardly ever get 1st too. I alwys let Kallista have the first comment when she's on because she goes beserk when she doesn't get it. I do like getting 1st when she isn't on. But there's hardly a chance to do that.
Twice now you have stolen it when I put all the effort in, I don't get 1st at all hardly. I wasn't angry with you for getting 1st, because we hall have a right to it. I was angry at you because you stole it when I put all the effort in.
I hope you understand why I was angry with you. Please try to don't do it in future.

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

You get 1st alot more then me and I put effort into it to! I won't fall out with you over sonething so stupid but I don't like it

TheOriginalVex said...

Hi Hiiii Vex here ^_^

Maybe when Herr Landy be finished with the book and gets a long break, maybe, just maybe, he will go on to Bebo and check his comments? Ha ha. Although checking through all those comments will be a nightmare, and slightly scary. And can he remind a certain someone to go on his as well. :D

I hope he knows about the brilliant 'emily goods' comics on the facebook page as well, because they are just hilarious awesomeness.
Vex Out.

Valkyrie's-sidekick (Scarlet Creed) said...

Hi Derek
hope u answer these questions

1)wat is Skulduggery's given name?
2)does Valkyrie turn into darquesse in book 6?
3)wat is the name of book six?
3)who dies in book 6?
4)who r the new characters in book 6 (if there is)?

Dragona Pine said...

I'm going to go on Leo Star Wars, I'll comment when I can.


I don't like it either Nicolette, you stole 1st from me when I put all the effort into getting it. That's the only reason why I'm angry at you and I hope you undrstand why. Just please try to not do it in the future.

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

I think in going to read book 6 again ... *leaves*

Valkyrie's-sidekick (Scarlet Creed) said...

Gee who else is on a this time

Valkyrie's-sidekick (Scarlet Creed) said...

I wish derek was on right now

Dragona Pine said...

I'm here :)

Valkyrie's-sidekick (Scarlet Creed) said...

gee

while its 1:00pm in Ireland its 10:00pm in Australia(Brisbane,which is where i live)

Valkyrie's-sidekick (Scarlet Creed) said...

9 hours difference

where do you live Dragona?

Dragona Pine said...

England. It's the same time as on the blog :)

Valkyrie's-sidekick (Scarlet Creed) said...

oh nice,cool
i wanna live in England

wats the wether up there like snowin or somthin

Valkyrie's-sidekick (Scarlet Creed) said...

got to go

peace out! peoplez :D

tee hee

Valkyrie's sidekick signin out

Becky Allaker said...

HJBGHFYWFRJ,WBVKRQWBRW3GUFGI UREUREH3RWHIRBJESHAFHHEHFAEHUJAEFJEJBGSBJGSBJGFJD HIKIUHYILWEHTKIHWFMN ZC
*dies*
DEREKISWEARI'MGOINGTO...STEALYOURHOUSESOLONGASTHATBOOKISINIT!
Ahem. Now.... GET ON BEBO MAN!

Valkyrie's-sidekick (Scarlet Creed) said...

tee hee i'm back :p
Hey Derek your the coolest UK guy i kno

stay cool and awesome man!

Peace out Derek

And stay awesome! :p

Ayesha said...

OMG derek cant wait!!!!!!!!!!! book 6 is gonna be EPIC dont doubt your self and ofcorse its gonna be brain-punchingly brilliant. hehe!!!

Anonymous said...

Y DOES EVERYONE THINK FLETCHER'S GONNA DIE?????????




OH THE SUSPENSE
WHAT A WAY TO END A BLOG DEREK!

Kijjakarn said...

Dear Derek,

It is not just being a writer to do something while being anxious and doubting if that would work, but also being a person preparing for the most important test in his life is. And that person is me. I really doubt if I'm going to get admitted to MIT, even though I have studied as hard as I can. Don't know if my endeavour will end up in vain.

Anyway, I love all of your Skulduggery books! Looking forward to reading another enjoyable book from this series.

- Kijjakarn

Ayesha said...

THE SUSPENSE IS KILLING ME!!!!!!!!!!!

Ayesha said...

ok im gonna go now be back in a few hors byeee all

Dragona Pine said...

I'm going to go for a little bit. Cya in a few hours.

Rachel McCoach said...

:O i so hope the whole series doesnt end stupidly- val/skul better not die or ill get grumpy >:(

onyhoo hello peeps :)

Rachel McCoach said...

...is anyone else here?

am i all alone in this dark dark world!...

hudson said...

Have a surprise release date, that way it makes it a lot more fun to get it and it will give you glee to see your minions rush around like headless poultry products

Cluainn Fhada said...

Wow, I think this is the earliest I've ever gotten in.


Check this out:
http://www.spwc.ie/index.html

Isabella Midnight said...

heyy everyone IM BACKKK

SUCK IT

lol ijkjkjkjkjk oj (ORANGE JUICE*

Kribu said...

I keep fearing Skulduggery will die. But not in book six. I hope.

And I suspect the wait for book seven will be even harder than the wait for this book is! I only discovered the books last year, and it was difficult enough to wait after I'd finished The Faceless Ones, because it took two weeks for Dark Days to be shipped here.

... also, it's sort of encouraging to know that even Truly Awesome Writers get writing doubts. I always have doubts, and I've only ever written silly fanfic, and even that makes me wibble and doubt myself, but it does get easier to ignore it with practice.

BelladonnaCurse said...

Oh hell....
I can't wait for it!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

hi! i'm back from the party!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

I SAID, HELOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

*collapses. stops breathing*

Isabella Midnight said...

yo mike live


*throws yorkish pudding at him*


LIVE!!!!! ¬_¬

Lilith Nightshade... said...

*comes back alive* IS NICOLE STILL THERE?!

Isabella Midnight said...

YEAAA!!!!!!!!

Isabella Midnight said...

so wua mike????????????

Lilith Nightshade... said...

i just went to a party! they had an enormous cake and they only gave us miniscule peices! back in two ticks!

Isabella Midnight said...

OKAY! im eating LOADS AND LOADS AND LOADS OF MAGNUMS AND DRINKING COKE THEN IM ALSO WATCHING TWILIGHT AND PLAYING Feed Me!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

please SPEAK! OR I WILL DIE! IF I DO DIE I WON'T BE BURIED FAR AWAY 'CAUSE I LIVE AND SLEEP ACROSS FROM A GRAVEYARD!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

I'm gonna change my picture!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

you'll laugh at what i'm changing it to!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

check out my new picture! hahaha!

Isabella Midnight said...

okayy LOL

Lilith Nightshade... said...

DO YOU LIKE IT?!

Isabella Midnight said...

LOL ROFLMAOPMSLWIDT

Isabella Midnight said...

YESSS

Lilith Nightshade... said...

hahaha!

Isabella Midnight said...

RAWWWWRRR I HVE TO GO OUT ¬_! stupid friends byee mike see ya later

Lilith Nightshade... said...

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Lilith Nightshade... said...

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Lilith Nightshade... said...

i need someone to talk to!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Aquila Felis said...

Hi...
Please, change your picture.
*puppy eyes*

Lilith Nightshade... said...

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Lilith Nightshade... said...

hi! y?!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

I LIKE this pictue!

Mar-Chu said...

*walks on*

*nose twitches*

...change it. change your picture.

Lilith Nightshade... said...

*sighs* OKAY!

Aquila Felis said...

Hi Mar!
Glad you share my opinion...

Aquila Felis said...

Yay!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

THERE! how's that?!

Mar-Chu said...

*sighs*

it has been changed...thank yous.

Mar-Chu said...

hi aquila!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

I'M GLAD THAT I FINALLY HAVE SOMEONE TO TALK TO! VAMPIRES GET VERY UPSET WHEN THEY'RE LONELY!

Aquila Felis said...

I like that one. It's kinda cute. :)

Lilith Nightshade... said...

OR... WELL I DO... ALTHOUGH I THINK MOST OTHER VAMPIRES I KNOW LIKE TO BE ALONE ACTUALLY!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

I LIKE CAPITAL LETTERS!

Aquila Felis said...

*cocks head at Mike*
Sunlight!!!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

GLD YOU LIKE MY PICTURE!

Mar-Chu said...

*pokes*

*opens mikes mouth*

*looks in*

heeeeeey...your teeth are SHARP!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

YAH!

Mar-Chu said...

i started writing the prolouge for my new skul-man fanfic. it has to do with China and her phonebook~

Aquila Felis said...

*humms happily, for the sun's shining and the temperature is up to 22°C*

Lilith Nightshade... said...

China's weird though... :|

Lilith Nightshade... said...

THE SUN IS MOST DEFINETLY NOT SHINING HERE, WHICH IS GOOD BECAUSE I AM A VAMPIRE FROM THE DARREN SHAN BOOKS, AND THEY CANNOT LIVE IN THE SUN FOR VERY LONG, AND I HAVE MY BEDROOM WINDOW OPEN!

Mar-Chu said...

China is NOT! China is a valuable character!

(and i swear derek, if you kill her...!)

Lilith Nightshade... said...

CHINA IS AMAZING... but she is kinda strange... ALTHOUGH I DO LIKE HER! *whimpers* please don't kill me! i DO like china!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

HOLD IT! *frowns* i need the loo...

Aquila Felis said...

Hmmmmm...
I'd like to be killed off. At least one time, just to see what it might be like...
*looks at her OC*
You alright with dieing?
*OC looks back at her in shock*

Mar-Chu said...

im making a blog post for March's clothing fasions...where should i post it, my blog or bio-rama?

Aquila Felis said...

You could post it on both, just to make sure everyone sees it...

*continues discussing the good and bad sides of dieing with her OC*

Lilith Nightshade... said...

hi! am back from the loo!

Mar-Chu said...

hmmm..okay~

Aquila Felis said...

*humms happily*

*realizes she's hungry*

*stops humming and starts thinking about food instead*

Lilith Nightshade... said...

*grins vampire grin* hmmmm... yes... food... *grins*

Aquila Felis said...

*cocks head at Mike*
Are you very hungry?

Lilith Nightshade... said...

*grins*

Aquila Felis said...

*stares at Mike's theeth, unable to move*
...soo sharp...

Lilith Nightshade... said...

*smiles* maybe i should change my picture again... *grins widely*

Bethany said...

Oh my days.

I genuinely don't know what else to say. I'm just so darned excited for this book.

Derek, you should think about taking up BEDA... Blog Every Day April. It's pretty self-explanatory.

Aquila Felis said...

*continues staring mesmerized at Mike's theeth*

Lilith Nightshade... said...

how's this picture? I'll change my name next!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

I wonder... what should my name be?

Aquila Felis said...

*hides from Mike's picture*
^^

Lilith Nightshade... said...

well? any ideas for my new name?

Aquila Felis said...

Well... my name is a taken name. Ever thought about finding yourself a taken name?

Lilith Nightshade... said...

hmmm... something vampirey... help me out here...

Aquila Felis said...

Well... THE vampire is of course Dracula... a pretty common anagramm of it is Alucard... but I don't like those names for you.
Give me some time to think...

Lilith Nightshade... said...

i'm a VAMPIRE! i'm a vampire who wants hell with a name! OOPS! i DID mean help!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

TIME?! okay... i'll wait... *smiles* and yes... i will be posting comments like this from now on...

Aquila Felis said...

Words for blood:
Haima Sanguis.
Haima is ancient greek and Sanguis is latin. Do you like one of them?

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

Phoenix plasma?

Phoenix means dark red and plasma is another word for blood...

Min (Thalia) said...

*wanders in*

Hello~

Lilith Nightshade... said...

it doesn't have to be one with blood in it... just something dark and... vampirey...

Aquila Felis said...

Hi Nicolette and Thalia!

Just read: Lilith was the first vampire. At least according to Wikipedia...^^
What about Lilith?

Aquila Felis said...

Lilith is a pretty dark name...
do you know her story?

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

Zelda? Dark battle

Isabella Midnight said...

HEYYY IM BACKKK :)

SUCK IT
jk hehehee
its raining here in ireland and its COLD

Lilith Nightshade... said...

Lilith sounds good! but i want a last name too! something more... lets go for evil 'cause that's normally what vampires names are like!

Min (Thalia) said...

Hi Aquila!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

no... i don't know her story...

Lilith Nightshade... said...

does someone die at the end?

Lilith Nightshade... said...

hi thalia and nicole...

Isabella Midnight said...

yoooo im here

wow i feel lewft out lol

Lilith Nightshade... said...

i've changed my picture nicole, and nnow i'm changing my name... i will be called lilith... something...

Aquila Felis said...

Hi Nicole!

So... a last name for Lilith...

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

Diablo ?

Lilith Diablo had a sort of ring I think personally

Isabella Midnight said...

hmmmmmmmmmmmm Lilith Telford

Lilith Nightshade... said...

i'll list my own ideas, then we can all vote between your ideas and mine!
nightshade
shadow
gravestone
graveyard

i don't know... im terrible with names...

Mar-Chu said...

i posted it!

http://mar-chusbloginblogland.blogspot.com/2011/04/march-pathways-fasions.html

THALIA!

*glomps*

Isabella Midnight said...

TELFORD

Lilith Nightshade... said...

aquila, any ideas?...

Min (Thalia) said...

MAR!!!

*glomps*

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

Lilith nightshade! Ftw!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

what is all this with glomping people?!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

i'm using the name nightshade in my novel!

Mar-Chu said...

THALIA!

*pets Thalia's head*

Aquila Felis said...

Lilith Umbra?
Umbra means shadow...

Mar-Chu said...

look at March's fashions! i just posted it on Bio-rama too!

Isabella Midnight said...

YOU HAVE A PENGUIN SHIRT :O I WANT IT wait i hve a penguin costume in rl

Isabella Midnight said...

lilith telford

Lilith Nightshade... said...

everybody vote on one of these names... unless you have a new one...
nightshade
shadow
graeyard
gravestone
telford
diablo

Mar-Chu said...

noooo, i have the pi shirt! but i also have that imposter penguin bunny shirt from woot too!

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

Ing penguin shirt! I'd be jealous if I did already have one ;) I'm obsessed with penguins

Min (Thalia) said...

Brb, my brother's pulling me away. I'll be back in about ten minutes.

Mar-Chu said...

NOOOOO THALIAAAA!

Mar-Chu said...

TELL RUPERT TO GO AWAY!

Isabella Midnight said...

i pick telford

Aquila Felis said...

I like Nightshade...

Lilith Nightshade... said...

VOTE ON A NAME BEFORE I GET ANGRY!

Isabella Midnight said...

kallista say *i pick telford* just say it plzzzzzzzz

Lilith Nightshade... said...

EVERYBODY PLACE THEIR VOTE NOW, EVEN IF YOU ALREADY HAVE!

Mar-Chu said...

KALLISTA! LOOKIE! I MADE A MARCH FASHION THINGY!

http://mar-chusbloginblogland.blogspot.com/2011/04/march-pathways-fasions.html

and also on bio-rama

http://thespotforbios.blogspot.com/2011/04/march-pathways-fashions.html

Aquila Felis said...

Lilith Nightshade.

Lilith Nightshade... said...

one for nightshade!

Isabella Midnight said...

Lilith Telford Lilith Telford Lilith Telford Lilith Telford Lilith Telford Lilith Telford

Lilith Nightshade... said...

one for telford!

Isabella Midnight said...

SIX for telford

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

Nightshade, gtg

Lilith Nightshade... said...

ONE!!!! *crouches into attack position and snarls at nicole*

Lilith Nightshade... said...

two for nightshade!

Isabella Midnight said...

awk come on TELFORD plz plz plz zplz zplz plz plz

Lilith Nightshade... said...

every time some one votes, there are five minutes until i put in the most voted for name. if someone new votes, the time is reset...

Mar-Chu said...

gravestone!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

one for gravestone!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

but nightshade is winning!

Mar-Chu said...

roar. maniac dog...come her pushy little white thing! heeeeere girl!

*picks white blog up*

*pets*

does everyone like my pusycat?

Aquila Felis said...

Yay!
*grins*

Isabella Midnight said...

*pounces on mike be4 he can attack*


HAHAHA BEAT U

Isabella Midnight said...

YAYAYAYAYAYA thank u kallista :)

Aquila Felis said...

*blinks*
How do you have a blog as a pet...
*wonders*

Lilith Nightshade... said...

i wasn't going to attack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! two for telford! and by the way dragona, if you ever read this! i am not a darrens han vampire anymore! i'm just my own kinid of vampire (but not from my novel)!!!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

if it's a draw, i pick the one that i like best!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

if it's a draw, i pick the one that i like best!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

i got first! oh yes! no angry vampire for someone else being first!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

what will my name be?...

Mar-Chu said...

DONT FORGET THE FRYPAN!

*runs in circles screaming*

WOOOOOO!

Isabella Midnight said...

yea u were going to attack

Lilith Nightshade... said...

i'll just choose a name if no one else is interested any more! i'll choose a completely different one!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

i was NOT! I WAS JUST TRYING TO SHUT YOU UP!

Aquila Felis said...

*cocks head at Lilith Something...*
Now I'm curious.^^

Lilith Nightshade... said...

how about lilith jet or lilith decay?...

Isabella Midnight said...

PICK TELFORD I DOOOO CARE

Aquila Felis said...

erm...

Lilith Nightshade... said...

or lilith spoil, or lilith perish?...

Mar-Chu said...

derek! look at this!

http://shirt.woot.com/friends.aspx?k=17741

it has to do with zombies! do scapegrace or gerald/thrasher ever feel this way?

Lilith Nightshade... said...

they are vampirey...

Mar-Chu said...

YESSSSSSS! I LOVED THE MAGIC FRYPAN!

Lilith Nightshade... said...

i love the shirt mar... almost as much as i love...

Mar-Chu said...

*hands shoots out and jabs lilith mike in the stomach*

*grabs frypan and wacks her in the head*

Min (Thalia) said...

Back~

Hi Kallista!

*glomps*

Min (Thalia) said...

Aww...bye Kallista!

Mar-Chu said...

bye kallisata! see ya later!

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