Hi there. My name is Scott Duffy, and welcome to my book writing log. I have documented the process of writing my last two books on this site, and have started my third. This book will be called Visual Studio Team System In Action, and should be available in 2005.

Sorry it's been a while since I posted. I originally wanted to blog almost daily on the process of book writing.

It took me a while to get back into the groove of writing again. I find my writing inspiration comes in brief spurts. I will write furiously for 3 or 4 days, and then need 3 or 4 days to "recover". When I am behind on a deadline, I tend to stay up until 3am or 4am writing. I have a 9-5 job, and so I can only do that for a few days before it takes its toll on me.

On Monday, my editor reminded me of my "drop dead" date -- the date when my manuscript absolutely has to be handed in. I find the terminology funny, because I will basically have to work non-stop between now and the due date to have any hope of being on time. And after the due date, I will probably drop dead.

Of course the situation in Iraq isn't helping my writing. I am inclined to be glued to the TV for a few hours each night to catch up on the day's action. At some point each night I get tired of the repetitive coverage and turn the TV off and do some writing. That's not good -- that has to change.

For those of you keeping score at home, Chapter 5 (on ORM database modeling) was submitted at 11,473 words. Chapter 6 (on conceptual software design) came in at a svelt 10,141 words.

Chapter 7 is on logical design. I have to (have to... have to...) send it in on Monday or Tuesday of next week. Keep your eye on the prize.

My agent wants to know if I'd like to write a book on Windows Server Maintenance or on Mac OS X. I know nothing about either of those topics, but I gave a brief thought to writing the Mac book. It would give me an excuse to go out and buy one. ;)