Simon Myth Progress Update

Simon Myth update. Today I had some time to work. Here's what I did...

I typed up the end of Chapter 32, which was already drafted in my notebook. A few improvements.

I finished a first draft of Chapter 39. I don't like what I wrote, but I may change my mind when I get some distance.

I cancelled Chapter 40. The book's too long and my ideas for it are too vague. I can always do a short story another time with that material.

I added some material to Chapter 41 (all the chapter numbers will be redone).

I cut half of Chapter 26 and pasted it into Chapter 43, which gives me half of chapter 43 but I need to fill in the gap in Chapter 26.

This is really a lot of noise but not much production. However, it means something to me because I am getting rid of nagging problems. I'd been sitting on an unfinished Ch. 39 for something like six months. Plus, cutting Ch. 40 was momentous since I did a lot of research for it. You know how it is when you have to work on something a lot in order to realize it's no good. There's a certain satisfaction that comes from getting rid of something you are attached to. It makes you (or me anyway) feel virtuous. But overall, I just want this book finished. I have never been so "over" a book as I am "over" this one. I feel like it's the hardest book I ever wrote. And I haven't even started cutting the opening section, which is in a mess. And still a lot of the end part isn't written yet. ARgh.