If You Write it, He Will Come

Yesterday, I finished the first draft of Chapter 17. Great job, kudos to me.
Today, I must work on Chapter 18.

Last night, I laid in bed trying to think of what the next scene should be.
Whose pov? Val, the main character? Perhaps. Doug, the love interest? Maybe. The maimed girl? Nah. I don't think I'll let her have her own pov. I think I want to limit it to 3, including the antagonist.

So, what should happen? I know what needs to happen in order to finish the story. But, I've got 250 pages in which to wrap it up. Not time to start thinking about bringing her home just yet.

Normally, at the halfway point I begin working toward the end. Too soon right now. I'm only on page 153.

I fell asleep still having no idea.

So, here I am this morning. Still clueless, I sat my bottom at my desk and typed on the next page, half-way down "Chapter 18". Amazing how liberating that feels. It's like I'm halfway there already.

Then, I read the last few pages of the scene before last to remind myself of what was going on and the emotions involved.

Then, I put fingers to keyboard. My muse, who I thought was on vacation, seeing my tush in the magic desk chair has shown up. And as I typed the first word, it hit me.
The police are coming to pay my main character a visit. ooohhhh. Of course they are! Her brother's in a world of trouble. That's the hook I need to propel this story through the middle. A big surprise at the 1/3 point. Yes!

Poor Valencia. Poor Bailey. How will they get out of this? Not sure yet. And if I'm biting my nails trying to figure that out, maybe, just maybe, the reader will do the same.

So, what did I accomplish writing-wise today? Nothing but a chapter head and two sentences. Doesn't seem like a lot, but now that I have the chapter premise in my head, the words will fly onto the computer screen.

After work, after dinner, after kissing the husband and kids, I will sit down and within an hour, maybe two have a rough draft of Chapter 18.

Then, I'll erase my kitchen chalkboard and write "Chapter 19". Ooooh that's only one chapter away from a milestone. Chapter 20 and the halfway mark. Hooray!