How to write a book in 28 excruciating steps

So, referring back to my first post I'm going to be leaving my job at the uni and becoming one of the unemployed on 24th August 2007.

The plan, though bereft of detail it is, is to leap on this as an opportunity to finish Sibling, the novel I've been working on for about 13 years now (I can't quite remember when I started it).

Sibling has gone through many drafts over the years, sometimes slight, often with dramatic changes. I am currently working on chapter 10 (of 28 hence the title) of draft 8, one of the 'dramatic changes' drafts. Writing has gone in spurts, I go through phases of loads activity punctuated far too often by months of dormancy. Well this is my chance to get my head down and get stuff done, I'm giving myself until the end of the year to be sending it off to publishers. I look forward to all the rejection letters and getting back into the job market in January.

Up until recently I've been doing bits of writing in the evenings after work, and that's been rather dull as it's meant I've gone for days on end without really leaving a computer screen, which isn't healthy. I've also been taking holiday and spending whole weeks working on Sibling. I've found that given a few clear days I've been able to really get into my stride and get loads done, I'm hoping that then next few months will go like this. My main statement is this isn't a holiday, I expect to be getting up in the morning and working as hard as I currently do, just without the getting paid bit.

I intend to post my progress here, wish me luck.