The end of my first draft is approaching the same way an ocean steamer moves through water. I’m in a little wooden dinghy — white, with a blue stripe and red underneath, the dinghy my grandpa made with his own two hands, in case you’re wondering — watching this monster cut smoothly towards me, and I have to say, I feel at peace with myself. A little intimidated, anticipatory. Lead weight in my gut, but that just anchors me down nicely.
This is my first novel. This novel is getting published. The publishing process fell on me like a pallet of bricks — a story I will share with you later. My publisher apparently has very high hopes for me.
Pressure, much? But like I said, it’s a good pressure. I hope it sells.
So I want to hear from you guys. I want to get to know you. I need friends, as many as I can get.
Where are you in your drafts, in your life? How’re you doin’?
not very alice 
laradunning
April 5, 2011
I finished my first draft in Nov. Sent it out to beta readers and now am in heavy edits. Then the process of sending out “requested material.” Congrats on getting published and finishing your first draft. It is such a relief!
Alice M.
April 6, 2011
Hi Lara!
Thanks for stopping by and visiting my little corner of the world. It’s nice to have you!
I’ve always avoided referring to the contract as a relief. I mean, it is a relief — a huge, huge relief — but saying, “I’m relieved I landed a contract,” can sound a lot like, “I’m relieved other people suck,” I guess, even though that isn’t what I mean.