Plotting

      As far as plotting for my second Novel, I want to make sure I'm keeping a record of how I'm doing it so I don't forget next time around. I'm using Note cards cut in half so save on cost. I started out buy writing the major things that I know I want to happen then spread those all out in order. Then I started filling the spaces with new note cards with new scenes or ideas.

     Secondly I've started a chart very much like JK Rowlings for the Order of Phoenix. A chapter column, a month column, then across the top I listed all my plot lines. Then I just filled things in. Coming up with my plot lines wasn't that hard. After having thought about my story for so long I pretty much know where I want this to end up.
     Another thing I did was lay all my note cards out on a huge wipe board in order, then use a marker to draw my plot line, labeling my catalyst, climax, and other things. For that thought I mostly worked out the months of things.
     I'm really motivated to get this first draft over with before August 22, the first day of school. Stephen King says in his book "On Writing" that First Drafts of Books shouldn't take more than three months. I feel like that's what went wrong with my first manuscript. I spent so long on the first half, that by the time I got halfway I was just tired of my story and just wanted it to be over with. Besides that I like starting fresh with the new school year, I think I'd want to get back into my study habits before I really get into writing my third manuscript, just so I don't completely fail tenth grade.
      It's getting to a point where all I'm thinking about is my novel, or getting it published. I'm a little embarrassed to say all I've done this morning is wake up, put my contacts in, and write this blog post. Next I'm going for breakfast and a shower, then I'll be writing until I have to go to work tonight. Is this obsession normal?

It's like Giving Birth

I've heard writers compare their writing of their first draft to giving birth. I'm scared to say I think I'm done with my first draft and while I haven't given birth I will say it was a LOT of work. It didn't seem like I was writing because I loved to write in the last few days before I finished my first draft, it was like I was writing just to get the stupid thing over with. What I'm really worried about is my manuscript is only about 24,000 words long even though I've "written" ever scene have. I read some where that to beef up your novel it's best to add story threads which is something I defiantly plan on doing after my six month dead period where I'm not even allowed to think about that book. I have started working on my second book and I can tell this one is way better plot wise than my first.
I've got a bunch of questions about Point of View character (POV Character) I've read from a lot of different places you should only have one POV character but it seems like if I want to add more threads to beef up my novel I would have to switch characters or something. What's the difference between changing POV Characters smoothly and Head Hopping which from what I can understand is bad, and how do I make a smooth transition from one POV Character to another without throwing off my readers.
I'd love some answers and opinions so please leave a comment with your advice or shoot me an e-mail at follow.the.journey.now@gmail.com