If every writing session went like yesterday, the book would write itself. A personal record of 1800 words. Output like that verges on Stephen King territory.

In keeping with submission guidelines mentioned on dozens of agent websites, the manuscript required some format adjustments. For those planning on submitting work to agents the near universally – because there is always an exception – accepted format standards are:

1) A 12 point font, usually Times New Roman.
2) 1 inch margins on all sides.
3) Double spaced text.
4) The title, author name and page number atop each page.

The manuscript covered items 2 through 4 but not 1.

My favorite font is Courier New 10 point. It’s proportional and supports roughly 350 words per page – at least within narrative tracts. Dialog snippets vary, as they involve more white space. Such word per page dimensions mirror those found in published fiction. Courier New 10 point gives a real-time estimate of the bound page count. All the more reason to use it, in my opinion.

Of the twenty agent sites checked, however, all said Times New Roman was the way. No mention of Courier New anywhere.

So long, Courier New. Hello, Times New Roman.

With the agents to contact list complete, and the synopsis up to date, the next stop is a query letter revisit.

The weather took a nasty turn this week and with it, my writing streak. Until Sunday, daily word count averaged in the low 1000’s. For the past few days, it’s back to 250 a day land. Sometimes a twist in the road can be wicked.

With roughly11 scenes left and 10-12,000 words unwritten, the final word count looks destined for the low 90,000 range. As long as the story flows and is uniformly clear, a little less works for me. However, I suspect that the 100,000 estimate might happen anyway during revisions. A top down walk through revealed very few pruning candidates, but shed the light on some spots where the story needed additional details.

October is very doable, at least in terms of finishing the draft. After that an expert team of volunteer readers convenes. Right now the group stands at five. I’m considering a sixth in case of scheduling conflicts. Five can do it, though. That’s enough people who haven’t dealt with me talking through the story.

Four days, almost 900 words per day. Huzzah. Today actually counted out at 1400, but 500 of the total went towards a short story idea that hit over eggs and coffee. I meant only to write the first few sentences. A page-and-a-half later, I stopped. Not sure what to make of the diversion, other than I like what there is of it thus far.

Whether this productivity burst stems from the self-imposed deadline or it’s a coincidence, I care not a whit. Just hope it continues.

The Wife leaves for Honduras on Saturday. Have faith, the struggle continues on in New Jersey.

Wrote 900 words and processed a dog pile of orders today. Even better news, the steroids/cortisone shot/Allegra/antibiotic cocktail worked as the doctor forecast. The ear infection is no more, and for the first time in months, the hearing in either ear clocks out roughly the same. But the progress came at a stiff price.

Steroid based treatments are last ditch treatments for ear infections. If they fail – and this is very rare, amen for that – the next stop is a specialist. Experts cost money, so naturally, I hate them. Allow me to introduce my motto: if it’s free, it’s for me. There were times this cure did not justify the savings.

Four of the six days worth of the blister pack of ‘roids, I cursed every dose. Side effects included: mood swings, water retention, insomnia, dizziness, and incoherence. Basically, a normal night out for the intoxicated, only cranked to eleven, and every second oh so sober. Fortunately, the doses tapered off each day. By the fifth, life improved a great deal.

Freed of the last dose, I hit the weights. Strength levels are down about two to three percent. Not too shabby considering seventeen continuous days of antibiotics, antihistamines, shots and a haphazard workout schedule.

All in all, not a bad day out.