Out there

Today is huge for me.  I have sent my manuscript out to one of the publishers on my list.  It is hard for me to wrap my brain around this fact.  So many years went into this project, and 99% of the work was me, and only me, with the book.  Eventually I told people about it....let them read parts, and now it is done.  I don't know how to feel.  It is, in a way, anticlimactic.  I feel a bit numb, as if a big part of my brain has been downloaded onto a separate drive to free up space.  I fill like I need to fill up that space with something, but I am going to give myself time to figure out what should go in there. 

History is here every day

I haven't forgotten you.  I promise.  My book is being proofread and edited by dear trusted ones in my life.  Once I get it back I will be incorporating changes and corrections. 


I just read an article about artifacts discovered at Carter House in Franklin, and this quote really struck a nerve with me:

"What that means is the story of the people who lived here is literally under us every day," said Jacobson.

Oh how I loved to ponder that statement, and I hope that idea is conveyed in my book.  History is everywhere, all around us....we just need to be curious enough to seek it out.

I cannot believe it!

The first draft, over 70,000 words, is actually done!  I never ever thought I would be writing that, but it is indeed the truth.  I  am  overjoyed, giddy, elated, in other words, WOO HOO!

And this weekend I will turn my draft over to my proofreader (hi Mom!).  If I look at my draft one more time I may go quite mad, so I am hands off until I get it back from her.  I need to breathe for a bit, and perhaps paint.

This past Saturday, Mark and I went on a behind the scenes tour of the Tennessee State Capitol.  It was fascinating,  and being around all of that history  gave me the push I needed to see me past my goal.

So for now, I  am done.  The next part, finding a publisher, may be a journey, but I am ready for it.

1200 words to go!

So so close.  I am over 68,000 words, and I just love how the book has grown and the story has developed.  One of my antagonists now has more flesh, and another story twist has been added, along with a secret room.

Once I hit 70,000, I will proof and fine tune the story, and then to find a publisher.

I know the important thing is that I love my story, but I would also love it if it got published, and others loved my story as well!

The lightbulb

I trust my process.  I knew if  I gave myself space,  the inspiration would come, and it did.

Today the dear husband  and  I took a get lost trip in the beautiful country around
Bell Buckle, Tennessee.  Poverty and reconstruction after the Civil War had such a beautiful way of preserving antiquity in the Nashville surrounds.  As I viewed the vistas, got a bit sunburned, and let my mind wander, I  heard what I needed to take my book further.

I always have a pad and pen with me wherever I go, and I jotted my inspiration down.  So so happy!

66000 + y'all

That's right.  Less than 4000 words, and I will have my book  ready for proofreading.  I've become comfortable with my process.  I get inspired, I write until said inspiration is on paper, and then I'm done for a bit.  I go on to whatever fuels my creativity next - that might be a good dose of sleeping, reading, or painting, but whatever it is I respect my brain's need for refueling, and  I wait until it is the right time for writing.  It has served me well.  I am so close.  I am going to meet my goal of 70,000 by my August 22 birthday.

In the beginning

I thought it would be good to post about what started me on my novel writing.

An acquaintance sent me a book that she wrote.  It took me about an hour to read, and it was insipid and  saccharine at best.  I know those are mean words to write, but it is truth.  It was every cliche in extremely concise text.

It was bad.  I knew I could do better.

So I found inspiration, came with an idea,  created my heroine, and have steadily and carefully built up my story, which is why it  has taken me so very long to craft.  If I didn't work for a steady paycheck, it is possible that it would have been completed by now, but my life is what it is.  I love my life, and jam pack it with as much pretty, creative lovelies as I can.

So here I am, staring down 70,000 words with a strong, proud gaze.  The end is in sight.

This weekend was a sad one - nothing to do with my family or anything, but I attended the memorial service of a person whose life ended entirely too soon.  I am hopeful that I will be inspired to write again in the near future, but I am  not going to force it.

I would love to take a "get lost" drive in the country around Nashville.  It has helped me so much  in the past to remove myself from the reality of my surroundings.  If the weather is cooperative this Saturday, I hope to be driving  someplace lonely and quiet.