The dream of publishing a book is still alive. A lifelong goal of mine is to publish a fiction novel. I don’t have any goals for commercial success—this journey is the goal.
“Project Manchester” is a novel I began writing seriously last year, before meeting my now-wife, with the intent to publish. It’s the most complete novel I’ve attempted so far, currently over 24,000 words. I keep coming back to it in my mind as something I want to finish. Every time I consider writing a new book, I return to this one. I love the setting, the plot, and the characters—I chose each of them for a reason.
“Draft 3” is the first version where the full story is told from beginning to end.
So how is Draft 3?
Earlier this week, I read the full draft on my Kindle for the first time, and I’d give it a solid 6 out of 10.
Chapter 1 and the beginning of the story are strong. The flow is off, but the foundation is there. Some parts don’t even sound like my writing—especially the descriptions of places. Chapter 3 is a complete mess and needs to be rewritten entirely: the pacing, the setup—none of it works.
That said, I love the set pieces and the theme of music and romance. One clear change that needs to happen is creating a more straightforward arc for the main character.
Next Steps
The goal is to shape this into a novella—typically between 15,000 and 40,000 words. That gives enough room for meaningful character and plot development, without the complexity of a full-length novel. Limited subplots, fewer characters (I currently have six), and a more compressed timeline.
Actions for the next week:
- Write new character sheets
- Build out world-building outlines (locations, cities, etc.)
- Outline “Draft 4” using a three-act structure