I hovered over that SEND button for a few extra minutes this morning, my mind spinning through familiar pages, scenes, and chapters. Was there one more thing I should’ve (would’ve could’ve) changed? Should I hold off clicking that button-of-no-return for a few more hours?
Yes, I’ll get the chance to make changes later this summer when edits begin–lots and lots of them, no doubt– but a writer sends her first manuscript off to her publisher only once in her life and this writer couldn’t resist picking off the lint and smoothing down the cowlick and brushing out the wrinkle just one more time.
I stood at the curb and waved until it was long gone.
Tell me I’m not the only one with a bit of separation anxiety at this stage?
photo by corsi photo via Flickr Creative Commons
Congratulations, my friend! I am so excited because this means the book is one step closer to getting in my hands! 🙂
I shall do my very best to make it worth the wait. For you in particular. When I think of who I'm writing for you are up there at the head of the line.
Just wait until first pass pages, the last chance to change things! 🙂
Congrats.
That actually made my heart race a bit. I did comfort myself this morning with the knowledge that I'll have another chance or two to make changes. I should start a list.
Thanks!
Oh, yes, you have a right to be nervous, excited, a little bit worried. You've crossed a threshold and it's going to be different from now on. Good different, but different. Go, Lori, Go!
And meanwhile I have six weeks or so to try not to think about it too much and dig into the WIP. Or so I think. Never know now what's coming. 🙂
Lori, I'm SO happy and excited for you. Like a mother sending her first child off to kindergarten, you will just wait, and pray, and greet them with open arms when they come home to you again. All the faithful work and persistent prayer you put IN to this novel will go forth in this world as light. As hope. As a testimony to the One who has given you The Gift. But you MUST let go. You MUST click send. You do what you do and trust God for the rest. It will ALL be beautiful. Perhaps today calls for muffins… 🙂
Hmmm. Pizza, I think. 🙂 ♥♥♥
Congratulations! Can't wait to hear all about the stages of this journey!
Thanks, Lara. 🙂
Lori, Catching up on my blog reading finally and had to come here. Pressing SEND that first time is really a big deal! But a relief and joy, too, like you've indicated. I think the hardest part for me is sending it the final time (the pages stage), knowing that's it! I never feel like I've caught everything and pray readers understand how hard it is to make a book. My pastor reminds me there's only one perfect book and yet it has lots of critics! So that helps me keep perspective…
HUGE congrats. You've been so faithful and a wonderful adventure awaits:)
Good to see you here Laura! I think I'm going to feel what I did sending it the first time, knowing it's going to change, about tenfold when I send it again know it can't change.
Wise advice from your pastor. We need to be reminded of that now and then. All we can do is our best at the time, whether with the writing or the research.
It's hard to still that perfectionist voice though, isn't it?