I finished my book today. I typed the last word tonight and did the final edits. It is such a feeling of accomplishment for me to have actually gotten it to this point. I have written lots of short stories, but this is my first completed novel. I have no illusions that I have it made though.
This is actually the first rewrite of a book I wrote in November for NaNoWriMo. (Check out their website, it is such an interesting idea.) Anyway, I wrote my fifty-thousand words in thirty days and was pretty proud of myself until I calmed down and reminded myself that it wasn't fit for any one to read...yet.
In February I pulled out the first chapter and sent it to the LDStorymakers first chapter contest. Imagine my surprise when I won second place in the Romance category of the contest. That made my day, and gave me new motivation to pull the rest of the book back off the shelf. If the first chapter could place in a contest, how would the rest of the book stand up?
I have spent the months since then re-writing and revising. And now I have it to a point where I can send it to others to read. (Did I mention I'm excited?) Tomorrow the excitement will wear off and I will start to wonder how polite everyone will be when they tell me what they thought of the story. Then there is the stress and hard work involved in submitting, and hopefully, someday publishing. And of course, this one is done, but there are a hundred more jumping around in my head waiting for their own happy dance.
7 comments:
I'm the first one to have read Stephanie's new novel, cover to cover (without the covers, of course).
I have been constantly amazed at the quality of her writing and her ability to tell a story.
I want to be the first one to congratulate her for her accomplishment and wish her well as she goes through this next step of finding a publisher.
Congratulations Honey!
I'm so excited for you, Stephanie -- way to go!! Wooohooo!!!!!!! You may still have a little ways to go, but you are so close. A little more editing, and then some submitting -- that's all you have left. What a great feeling.
And hi, Rick the proud husband!
Thanks, Tristi. I think that the real work is just beginning.
Stephanie, Congratulations! I'm so happy for you and proud on top of it.
Give it 30 days without touching it, and then pick it up one more time for a final read to catch anything that slipped by you.
Again, way to go!
Thanks, Candace. Waiting on it again is a good idea, even though it is so tempting to start sending it out tomorrow.
I can't wait to read it! You've worked so hard and deserve the best! Keep the rest of those stories coming!
I'll get you a copy soon, Amanda. I want your opinion.
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