My second book, got it done. Well, got it done in that “written 64,194 words, including ‘The End’” sort of way. But I’m pretty good about revising as I go, and this one has been written in enough fits and starts that I had to review previous work (and, of course, edit that same previous work) to get started again the next time.

And book two was SO much easier to write than book one. It kinda flowed. I mean, writing is always a challenge, but jeez, getting that first monstrosity on paper made the whole process make sense in a way that it didn’t when I started Fish in the Sun (my first book ; contemplating changing the title to Fischer in the Sun as somebody pointed out that the title might be perceived as smelly).  So, I guess what I’m saying is, if you want to be a writer, just finish that first book however you have to. Study a crap ton of craft as you go. It gets easier.

Granted, you’re always on a high when you finish a major project, but I have a special feeling about this one. I wrote a character that I really feel something for; not like that writerly infatuation that we feel for all our characters (god, I know what that is; get it all the damn time), but like he’s… got real pathos. And it’s been backed up by people who’ve read sections of the book; they’re coming to me later and saying something to the effect of “Logan has stuck with me.” I dunno. Maybe it’s just hopeful thinking, but it’s a really good feeling.

So there’s one section I gotta update ’cause it ain’t where it needs to be, and then I gotta read and edit the ending again (the finale sequence is like 10,000 words).  And I gotta write a synopsis as almost everyone wants that as part of the query package. And then… I gotta send out some emails and wait. And be prepared to dive in the broken heart chest at the next ARWA meeting. And maybe, just maybe, be prepared for success.

Oh, yeah, and I gotta start writing another book. That’s the cool part; no matter what happens, no matter how many queries get accepted or rejected, each story that finishes means I get to pull the next story from my whirling brain and wrestle it on to the page. And I LOVE it.