So, I was up until 2:31 AM last night.

Actually, let me clarify. I was writing until 2:31 AM last night. Ended the day with 7120 words written.

Why? Because I’m deep into the climax of Shadow of an Empire, and there was no way I was walking away from my keyboard until I reached a good stopping point. The same thing will probably happen today, seeing as I’ve still got a solid chapter’s worth of action to write through in addition to the chapter I’m already on, plus the resolution and wind-down. I’m still not quite sure how accurately I’ve captured the western feel with the way the final battle’s playing out (there might be a few who think it’s a little too much “wild” and not enough “west,” but given that magic’s involved since it is fantasy …) but all the same I’m pretty pleased with what I do have. There are definitely some pretty good moments of pure awesome during these last few chapters, with both the protagonists and the antagonists going to the absolute limit in the pursuit of their goals.

Anyway, the short of it is that Shadow of an Empire is almost done. If I can get another few solid days worth of writing in, it will be done. At this point, I’m guessing that the Alpha draft will weigh in at around 240,000 words, or between 700 and 900 pages, depending on your publisher.

The funny thing is that’s not even close to the longest thing I’ve written. Colony takes that title, at 325,000 words.

Length aside, so far everything feels pretty solid. I’ll leave it up to the initial Alpha readers to pass judgement, but right now it feels like a pretty solid story.

Speaking of which, I’d best get back to finishing it! I’ve still got a few fights to wrap up! Catch you all later!