Writer's Confession: My first novel

Since January I've been working seriously on a manuscript for a novel.  Creative writing has always been kind of a hobby on the side of my real job as a Reporter.  It's been a way of working out the creative part of my brain that sometimes gets a little ignored while I'm more worried about getting someone's quote right.

I haven't told many people until now, because I've often thought myself it was silly... and if I think that way I figure others might too; so it's been my little secret for a while.  I've also been asking myself if this is being used as an escape from the ever-present frustration of job-hunting; something I can control in the middle of an endless list of factors I can't.  The answer to that is yes, but so what?

There is something fulfilling about creating my own world.  It's been cathartic: I create characters who do, and say things I can't or won't.  I escape for a couple of hours there and return able to deal with pressures, and frustrations associated with job hunting.  And you know what else? It's fun too.  I have the attitude that I have fun writing, and editing this novel maybe there are people out there who will have fun reading it too.

So that's why I'm writing it.  I'm posting about it as a way to share the experience with other writers; what I'm doing wrong... what I feel I'm doing right.  Most importantly though I'm blogging about it for myself. I want to track my progress on a weekly basis as a way of reminding myself that even though it may not seem like it I am making progress.

Title: Lost& Found (tentative)
Genre: Horror/fantasy with a dash of romance
Summary: His girlfriend's disappearance plunges Detective Andrew Foxton into the supernatural world.
Pages: 50 as of March 24, 2014
Words: 23072
Problems encountered: Editing- I've been editing in 15 or 30 page chunks, is there a better way to do this?
Knowing when enough is enough with editing.  I've been going on instinct... when I can read a section and only change a word or two then I'm finished.
Character names: Is it okay to have more one person of the same name?

One thing I'm doing right: Pacing.  Each chapter advances the plot in some way.

I hope you follow me on this crazy ride.  Constructive feedback is welcome, and appreciated.