More Realistic Word Count

Ten thousand words a week might be a little ambitious for the novella. It doesn't leave a lot of time for everything else. Since it's set on our earth so far, I've had to look things up I wouldn't have to if it was set on the other earth. The M16 has a three-round setting. However, on television I've seen the M4 being used instead. Should I use that? Does it have a three-round setting, too? It turns out the army replaced the M16 with the M4. Aha, that explains it. Whether it has that setting depends on which version it is. The special forces version seems to be full auto with no three-burst capability, although I'm going to have to verify that. The M4 the person in the novella is using is in a special forces type context. Is it more realistic to go with the standard or special forces version? To figure it out, I need to research more. I've done enough that I can write scenes without getting the essential facts wrong. I'll have to make sure it's 100% right later, probably for the next scene that has the M4 being used.

I'm having to look up other things like maps and towns and topography and temperature data. With translocation the characters can go places. In one spot they need coats. In another they can wear tee shirts and shorts. Day temperatures. Night temperatures. Weather. It all has to be accurate enough that people who live there feel familiar with it.

I'm thinking 8k words per week might be more realistic, although I'd like to do more. I don't want to fall behind. It depends on how much I have to look up and how well I've plotted. What I really need is to get to a place where I can do this full time. It would be nice to be able to get up and have a leisurely breakfast followed by the day's writing followed by a leisurely lunch followed by the last of the day's word count and/or research. Nevertheless, it still looks like I'm on track with finishing the rough draft this month. I'm past the halfway point and have the two-thirds point in sight. I've had to fiddle with the plot some, and I may have to again.

Have a great weekend.