Just Sit Down and Write

I am now 22k into my novel, Rogue Destiny. I posted the obligatory 20k snippet to Julie Czerneda's SFF group and I've posted chapters 1 through 3 in Baen's Bar on the Doc Monkey and Sarah's Diner forums.

And I'm still capable of continuing. Will wonders never cease?

Writers are generally capable of a great deal of mental flagellation. We can flip-flop back and forth almost instantaneously between story ideas, concepts, snacking binges, cat hysterics, child-induced panic attacks, or what have you. However, if you don't just sit down and write, nothing happens.

Why is it such a challenge? I know that simply letting go of all the mundane madness of everyday life and entering words onto the page is my biggest challenge. Worries about grammar or style or cliches or market potential or even the next car payment easily pop up and sidetrack me.

Yet, my progress with Rogue Destiny is more than just getting 20k in and stopping. I've finally achieved the point in my head where I can make myself write, whether I want to or not. I'm told that this is something of an achievement for authors. How this switch got thrown in my head, I'm not entirely sure. The root cause could very well be Kyle's continued success with drivng his own works to completion.

My goal for Rogue Destiny is to have it done in time for World Fantasy Con in November. I might just make it.