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Today was my sixth day in outlining a new novel using the program outlined in First Draft in 30 Days. It was my third research day, and technically day 9 in the book’s plan.

I finished pulling up and bookmarking basic sources I’ll be going through for background research in the next few days. I would love to read a few novels in the genre I’m working in during that time, but there simply won’t be the time. So I’m committing a royal sin as a writer, and trying to work in movie versions instead (keeping in mind that I used to be an avid horror reader years ago, and quite a bit in this specific niche  – so this is really just for a refresher course).

I watched the first today. I don’t want to share the niche / sub-genre, so I can’t go into details about the movies. There are 12 more I’d love to get my hands on, but realistically I’ll probably only watch about four – I still have plenty of other research to do with my time.

This is why the book suggests you start your research long in advance of beginning your outline. I absolutely agree. However, for testing purposes that obviously wasn’t possible (a few months ago I had no intention of working on a novel, nonetheless this one). So I’m doing the best I can with the time I have.

Related posts:

1. Novel Writing – Days 7 – 9
2. Novel Writing – Day 10
3. Novel Writing – Day Five
4. Novel Writing – Day 15
5. Novel Writing – Day Four

About the Author: Jennifer Mattern

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Jenn is a professional blogger and freelance business writer. She has worked as a freelance writer since 1999, and has been an active business and niche blogger since 2004. She owns All Freelance Writing as well as several other sites and blogs covering PR, small business, and related topic areas. She is also currently writing a nonfiction book for freelance writers called The Query-Free Freelancer, and is the author of the Web Writer's Guide e-book series.

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