276 Pages! And on a Parallel Scene

2/6/2018

This morning, I cranked out a parallel scene in The Harvest of a fight scene in the arena. However, I want to tweak the point of view, so that Ashley notices things that Alan does not because she should know more about combat moves. The results of the battle will still be the same, but perception is never really 100% anyway.

I am also really excited that I reached 276 pages of my novel! I thought this piece would be done at 300 pages, but that's not how this work is developing. Anyway, it's always better to produce more and cut down, and right now, some sections need more narration. They are dialogue heavy, but this is a draft after all, and I have gotten well beyond the previous three versions of this novel. All of this territory has been new for some sections, now, but I like how this novel is developing and know I will finish by June 2018.

Well, in real life, I am off to do some essay reading for my regular job. I also designated this as "cleaning day", and my poor spouse has been working on the dining room, while I have been happily writing away. Chores, here I come.

Write first. Everything else will take care of itself. #Resist

4 Comments

Spencer link

2/6/2018 11:36:34 pm

Congratulations on reaching page 276! You’re one step closer to completing your book!

Jesu Estrada

5/6/2018 01:36:16 pm

Thank you for the kudos! I aim for 10 pages a day, but I don't get down when I can't get there.

Tish link

3/6/2018 01:56:58 pm

I too, am struggling with starting Draft 2 and getting my house clean before company arrives later in the month. Congrats on setting a goal and striving to achieve it!

Jesu Estrada

5/6/2018 01:38:33 pm

Hi Tish, Yeah, I have fantasy that my whole house will get cleaned on a weekly basis, but that is rarely the case with two small children, two cats, and a busy schedule. This week, I start teaching again, and I will have to work on getting up earlier. It turns out, I am a morning writer, but this heat is no joke! Anyway, good luck with draft number 2! I am hoping this will be the last full draft, and then onto a revision or two.

Dr. Jesú Estrada,
Pen Name: María J. Estrada
Chicago, IL

I grew up in the desert, between Yuma and Somerton, AZ, close to the Cocopah Reservation. Because I was ever-bored, I became an avid reader of Spanish comic books or novelas. Then, once I learned how to read in English, I devoured everything in both languages.

I have been writing stories in mis lenguas since I was six years old. My fiction and poetry focus on working class issues, primarily about laborers in the Southwest.

In real life, I am happily married, been so for over ten years and have a fabulous nine-year-old, son, and three-year-old, daughter, who keep me incredibly busy. My husband is heroically supportive and encourages me to follow my literary passions.

All of my degrees, including my Ph.D. from Washington State University are in English, which makes me a big fat English nerd. Currently, I live in Chicago and teach full-time at Harold Washington College to an amazing student population. Of course, one of my favorite classes to teach is Creative Writing, but I love all of my students and all my classes because I teach all the novels and story/poetry collections I want. Lucky me.

(Yeah, sometimes I let my students write non-serious fiction.)

My next book coming out is Not Your Abuelita's Folktales, a Magical Realism collection of short stories for Young Adults.