It is Finished!

Okay, folks...prepare yourselves for big news.

The first draft of Dividing Spirits is officially completed.

EEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKK!

Last Friday, I finally typed those infamous words--"The End".

What a feeling! I mean, this is techically my third completed novel, and still, the feeling never changes. The whole "I can't believe I actually did it--again." I breathed a sigh of relief and was high all weekend.

Of course, along with the floating on the clouds feeling came the mind-numbing doubt. DS needs a lot of work, and I know that. Yet, I always get that nagging in the back of my mind. It'll never be good enough. Who would want to read this? Why are you investing so much time in something that will never go beyond a select few friends and family?

Yeah...I get that a lot.

This being my third attempt, though, I've learned how to push those doubts aside and put my trust in the Lord. It's true--this manuscript may never go beyond my crit partners, and the few family members and friends that enjoy reading my work. Being that Dividing Spirits is a supernatural suspense, it may not find a place in the market right now. But you know what? God allowed this experience to run its course for a reason. I may not know it...I may not even ever see it, but I know there is a reason.

A great way to take my mind off of my fears is to set goals. You all know how important I think they are. So, here's my goals for the next few months.

1. I will finish my first couple rounds of edits by August 31st. Writing time will be scarce, so I'm not sure how I'll do this, but we'll see.

2. I will send my first few chapters to friend and editor, Salley Bradley (check out her website). While she has those, I'll prepare my query letter and synopsis.

3. When I get back her suggestions, I'll do another round of edits. Then I will prepare the manuscript for submission. I have a couple of agents/editors that I know I want to query, but I'm also going to submit to the CWG First Novel Contest.

So what now?

I dust off my keyboard, pull out the notebook full of notes, and sit down. I pop open my Diet Coke, and open that first chapter once more.

Time to edit.