The light at the end of the tunnel is probably an oncoming train

On December 24th, I completed the manuscript of my first novel.  All told, it’s over 96,000 words in 26 chapters.  I pushed myself to get it done during my vacation, so I then could focus on editing.  I have my beta readers all lined up as well, along with questions for them to answer.

I cried when I was done with it.  Plus, I was staring at the screen in disbelief.   I started it over 9 years ago.  Here’s something that went from a mere idea to a physical object because of me.  It’s much like giving birth.

New Year’s Eve, just before midnight, I did a pass through in editing, so, for the first time EVER, I held a New Year’s Resolution up.

I have sent out my novel to my beta readers, and as of now, received two back.  They were very informative and helpful.  So helpful in fact, that I will be going back to an original plot point that I came up with all those years ago when I first put pen to paper.

But, in all honesty, I have pressed pause on writing right now.  I’m still thinking about the novel and coming up with scenes and ideas, but any actual writing?  Nope.  Nada.  Zip.  Zero.   I am, without consciously doing it, in the part of the editing phase called “shove it in a drawer and walk away for a time”.

My real life has taken a front-row seat for the time being and that’s okay.   I will get back to it and get it DONE.