Wednesday I closed my manuscript document knowing I had vastly improved it over the last two courses of revisions. There are several scenes that I read over and over thinking, "Did I really write that?"
It still amazes me how each revision sends me head over heels in love with the story. After this many years I should be tired of it, but I'm not.
I had a great conversation with my editor as I sent my baby back into her care. My release day is going to get here before I know it and I'm starting to get the jitters about my book. What similarities to other books am I not seeing in my story? It feels good and new to me, but I know everything's been done before. Just because I haven't read it, doesn't mean it isn't out there.
Holy cow, people are going to read this in less than a year! Will they like it?
It's weird to be so close to this dream coming true and yet feel like I'm so far away. I'm still waiting for a specific date. Right now it's a vague "winter 2013", but my publisher did confirm that meant by March. That's only seven months away! There's so much to do it feels overwhelming at times, and yet those are the things I want to be doing. This business really is a funny thing, isn't it?
I want to send a big thank you to my editor Amie McCracken. I thought my critique partners were great helps, but she has really helped me take this story to another level. I wish for this kind of experience for all my writer friends!
Photo used with permission from the European Southern Observatory
The rising of the double suns has great meaning in my novel, and I truly feel like I'm watching them every step of this process.
Let's hear it for completed revisions! Don't start panicking yet, Charity. Plenty of time for that before release day.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. Your release day will be here before you know it. I'm so happy for you.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting! I'm so glad to hear that the revision process has increased your love for your story. You often hear of people saying the opposite.
ReplyDeleteI've just received copy edits back from my editor, which I'm hoping to get through in the next few days. I'm really happy with my editor too - I feel like he 'gets' my characters and story. Hooray for awesome editors! :-)
It's amazing how quickly time passes these days. Well done on the edits. Only six more rounds of edits and you're done.
ReplyDeleteIt's even better than that. Amie thinks we're ready for line edits next. !! then copy edits. Things are coming together!
DeleteCongrats on finishing your edits! And a big huge congrats on your upcoming release. :)
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