Greetings! During these past couple of months, I focused much of my attention on finishing the manuscript of my next novel, Elthea’s Nemesis. Happily, the draft is complete as I move on to the editing phase.
I’m super excited about how this plot unfolded, and I can’t wait to make it available to you. But I still have work to do before it’s polished and ready for publication.
Writing a novel is a magical, intoxicating, and rewarding process. It touches a deep part of my core. I carefully consider every plot twist and word before committing it to the script. This method may take me longer, but in the end, I know each book I produce will be the best I can make it.
But being a novelist means working without a net. Yes, editors, first readers, and proofreaders scrutinize the books I write before you see them. But if something goes wrong, if the story doesn’t resonate, or whatever the problem, nobody is to blame except the person whose name is on the cover.
My anxiety increases whenever a release date approaches. My instinct is to review the book one more time. Maybe I’ll catch an awkward phrase, decide to embellish a scene, or strengthen the wording in a sentence.
Putting a book out there for others to judge is scary for us writers. And don’t even get me started on the whole business side of publishing with the pressure of sales rankings, advertising performance, and things like read-through rates.
Yet, ask most authors, and, like me, they will say that we do this work because we love it. The adage applies: it is never work if you do something you love.
So, as I continue my labor of love, thank you for following me and reading this latest journal post.
Photo credit: Kindel Media
Hi, John, Laurie Hyatt here. I’m also a writer/gardener. Think your way to Happiness is my 2020 non-fiction and a memoir draft is in the works. Just began selling vegetables, flowers, and, yes, books at our local farmers market. Thanks for your ideas on gardening and writing parallels.