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So, I'm out "writing."

Sort of.

I've come to realize that I seem to be doing it wrong.

Here's the right way to write:
1. Write awesome in-depth outline that tells me everything that happens in the story and where things need to go.
2. Write that story. Fill in all the details and put things where they need to go to get to the right ending.
3. Go back and edit it to make sure that everything sounds nice and makes sense.

But, as I'm still in a weird stage of figure out both how to write and how I write, this is how I've been going about it:
1. Write the first page.
2. Figure out what the story's about.
3. Write the prologue.
4. Draw up an expansive, experimental, episodic outline that doesn't tie things together well because there's nothing to tie together yet.
5. Write two chapters longhand in a notebook.
6. Type up those chapters, editing as you go.
7. Start editing at the beginning again, checking for inconsistencies, "better" plot devices, and making it sound nicer.
8. If novel is complete and perfect, submit for publication. If not, return to Step 5.

Today is Cinco de Mayo. Today is Mifflin. Today I trudged to work and balanced on buses all morning to get home before midday.

I tuned out the images of mongrels and whores, both wearing bright neon green and pink tank tops. Thirties of Keystone and Hamm's - names I can't wait to forget - hauled over shoulders and pulled into the screaming river's flow. I've got a six pack of nice beer - I'll get through a few. My windows are open and the fresh air outside struggles to break through the wall of muggy fog that stagnates my apartment.

Today is okay, but all I want to do is write.