Yesterday evening, I reached 50,000 words in my novel, Fascination. It’s a dystopian book about mental illness and how society will handle mental illness in the future. If you’re interested in finding out more about the book, please be sure to read my original post here.
“Healing Waters” is a poem that I wrote last year while researching hydrotherapy, which was given to patients up until 1945 and will be featured in my novel. Patients could be left in tubs of scalding or freezing water, depending on their symptoms, for up to 72 hours at a time, sometimes in pitch darkness. These tubs are still around in many of the mental hospitals today.
50,000 words feels like quite a task. I think writers should get coins, sort of like the sobriety ones that people get when they stop drinking, but instead for their word counts. It is a battle writing a full-length novel, but I have the higher ground advantage now. I’m set to finish the first draft of the book by August.
Lines from the blinds create black bars
Can we open these, please? No, privacy.
Shield the world from laceless shoes
Can I thread those, please? No, safety.
Nude finger twirls a phantom ring
Can I wear mine, please? No, thieves.
Locks on doors seek clanking keys
Can we go outdoors, please? No, escapees.
Sterile fluorescent afternoon
A paper and pen? No, safety, again.
Rainbows in cups, shapes without names
Can you please explain? No, don’t complain.
All punishments for disease.
Sickness like an afflicted sentence.
Grow suffering like bacteria
petri-dish people under the ‘scope.
Unwanted underwater hammock ride
straight-jacketed tub that’s burning inside.
Basic humanity blanches away
in the scalding waters of several days.
© khartless 2021, All Rights Reserved
Yard Sale of Thoughts 
This sounds really interesting! Good luck with it 😊 I have been sitting on a third draft for 3 years…😬
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Oh my, lucky 3, maybe? What is your novel about, Ingrid. I so enjoy your posts and writing I can imagine only something wonderful.
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It is sci-fi meets mystery meets romance! There’s allsorts in there but I suppose it’s about the struggle for identity and how we treat outsiders really. I would love to read yours when it’s finished. If you need a beta reader let me know 😊
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Thank you, Ingrid. That’s so very kind. Maybe we can exchange? I enjoy sci-fi when it’s stirred well with some other elements.
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Definitely! I need to make some significant changes first, because writing this blog has given me a lot of editorial insight, but this sounds like a lot of fun! My email is experimentsinfiction@protonmail.com if you want to discuss further 😊
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Sounds like an exciting project! Keep at it. 💪
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What a really interesting post. I never knew about the bathtubs. Good luck with the book. My dissertation was 50,000 words, so I empathise.
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Thank you, Hobbo. What did you write your dissertation on, if you don’t mind sharing. Kuddos to you.
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Oh, it was for an M.Ed. I was looking at the fairness of selection procedures used by West Yorkshire Police. Not half as interesting as your forthcoming book, I’m sure.😂
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Could still be very elightening. I’m guessing there wasn’t much equity uncovered. Thanks for sharing with me.
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You are very welcome!
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This is very disturbing.
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Yes, sorry, Misky. I am afraid the way the mentally ill are treated has and continues to be very disturbing. It is what has fueled my novel, and what I hope will fuel change.
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Well done – how many more words do you feel your book will need? 50,000 words is quite an achievement.
I’ve only managed short stories to-date.
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Thank you very much. This is my first project of this length. In an ideal world, I’d like my draft to be complete with 80,000 words. It may fall a bit short, but I think standard adult novels hit between 60,00-100,000 words. Love short story writing and miss it a bit right now. Still squeaking out a few stories now and again.
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Well done, KK! Now, take a deep breath, pat yourself on the back, and keep going. You mentioned this end date months ago and you seem to be sticking to it, that is brilliant.
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Thank you, Mr B. It’s true. I often keep a schedule, when set. I am going forward, no looking back-like Lot’s wife. Forging ahead despite the flaming project. I really appreciate your support.
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We can celebrate milestones but generally, there is always further to go. One novel does not a summer make!
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Ambitious. How many novels make a summer? Do tell…. should we coauthur one?
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I’m too busy writing dumb-ass comments on WordPress. I know my limits!
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Disturbing but the kind of history that needs to be known. Thank you
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