🌧 Thunder, Tunes, and 4,999 More Words

🌧 Today’s Weather in Illinois

Homer Glen's embracing fall with cloudy skies and a high near 55°F. The afternoon brought light rain, and tonight, expect partly cloudy skies with a low around 40°F. It's the kind of weather that makes you want to stay in and write.

🎶 What’s On the Radio Today

• “You Should Probably Leave” by Chris Stapleton: A soulful track that tugs at the heartstrings. Stapleton's raw emotion and bluesy vibe make this one stand out.

• “That Don’t Impress Me Much” by Shania Twain: A classic with attitude. Twain's playful lyrics and catchy beat bring back memories of the '90s country-pop crossover.

✍️ Word Count Update

This week, I added 4,999 words, bringing the total to 79,100 words. The rhythm's finally coming together, and it's not just about word count anymore. It's about the depth and movement of the story itself.

💭 Writing by Dissociation: A Creative Bypass

As I dive into the words and the world of Dante’s Harbor, I realized something about my writing process today. I tend to slip partially out of myself while I write — not in a dangerous way, but in a reflex that gives me space to think, feel, and create without burning out.

It’s a kind of dissociation — the brain’s way of giving me a creative bypass. It’s not abnormal; in fact, many artists work this way, calling it flow, the zone, or trance. For me, it started as a protective measure and evolved into a tool that lets me explore my characters and themes with depth, while keeping just enough distance to stay safe.

It’s a balance: half in, half observing. That’s why my prose feels cinematic — it’s like I’m directing my own inner film. The ability to function this way has allowed me to manage everything from writing and publishing to caregiving, all while keeping the creative flow going.

When I need to reconnect with the world after a writing session, grounding techniques — like tactile sensations or routine — help. But mostly, this is my rhythm: a controlled aperture that opens for depth and closes when I’m done.

💭 Next Steps

As I inch closer to 80,000 words, I’m starting to see more of the darker elements of Dante’s Harbor come to life. The line between dreams and reality is getting more and more blurred, and the town’s grip on its inhabitants is tightening. The story is starting to feel less like a draft and more like it’s unfolding on its own.

💭 Reflections

4,999 words might seem like a small number, but the progress feels big today. Getting closer to 80,000 words gives me a solid win — just a little more to go this week.

— A.L. Bellettiere