Deep breath...

Let go, and let God. A little more editing, and then it's time. Every time I think about that, my mind spins. So, I'm truly endeavoring to let go and let God. Sandra Lee Smith is my mentor, this time, and she has been truly helpful. I was able to use every single one of her suggestions. It is amazing how God prepares for what is to come, every little detail. He is mindful, and ever present.

Memorial Day

May God bless our military personnel. Thank God for those who love family, friends, and country so much they were courageous enough to serve. "All gave some; some gave all." May we always remember and honor their sacrifice, and may God bless their families. As long as there are those willing to kill for power, there will need to be those willing to fight for freedom. Freedom isn't free.

Keep on, keeping on...

I made a word change in the WIP. It's done, and ready for a request. Now, to finish with the editing of the synopsis. *worried face* Nothing to do, within my power, so I started on the next book, in the trilogy. It's a seventh written. I plotted it out a few months ago, so I need to review and revise. Today, I'm simply editing what's already there.

Eep! Found another word that HAD to be changed. What a blessing the Online Etymology Dictionary is proving to be in this endeavor! How the meanings of words have changed, over the years!

Why edit and edit and edit again?

While editing the second to last chapter, I discovered a glaring continuity error on a major point. I zipped back to the chapter in the first half of the book where the problem began, and re-wrote. It's done. Thank God. I truly feel like He helped me find the glitch.

Still editing...

My editing has slowed a bit, but continues on. I'm still surprised by all the misspellings and out of place words! How many times have I read this, and still I find errors. It is better, and I'm pleased with it. All things are in God's hands.

And more editing...

I edited twelve chapters, today. I'm down to being only about 250 words over my 75,000 limit. And I really love the story. I hope the editors like it, too. The query letter is ready, and the synopsis and first three chapters are matched to a mentor. I have about twelve more chapters to edit. Something to do while I wait. :-) I'm amazed at the number of orphan words (words that were probable part of a long sentence that was cut but missing a word), misspellings, and simply better words choices are popping out at me.

Editing continues...

Wow... what an experience. I was worried about having to cut 1,500 words to meet the limit. As I tighten and neaten, I'm down to only needing to cut 200 more words, and I'm not even half way through yet. I'm also finding orphan words, words that simply should not be there. I'm pleased with the progress.

Done but not finished...

Yes, everything is written, but I'm into editing now. As I edit the WIP, I wonder if I ought to change it, here and there. I found it curious as I read about other authors developing the habit of leaving a book when it's finished and never going back. I love re-reading good stories. Now, I'm beginning to understand. It isn't that you don't love the work any less; it is a matter of coming to the realization that one is for ever finding a way to make a story, maybe not better, but different, thinking of little details that would be fun to add, which make other details already written less significant. Deep breath, and let go.

Done...

Mentor stuff is sent off. Now, I wait, except I'm not really waiting. I'm editing the WIP, because I still need to cut about another 500 words from the MS to meet the word requirement.

As I worried about what I'm doing, and wondering what I was thinking when I started all this, fretting that I'm out of my mind to think I'm capable of doing this, my dear friend reminded me, "Remember when you thought you couldn't right dialogue?" It's a standing joke. When she asked me to help write a LOTR fan fiction, I told her she'd have to write all the dialogue because I couldn't write that kind of stuff. Surprise! I'm very comfortable with dialogue. In fact, I prefer it. Live and learn.

All is in God's hands.

Synopsis and query letter, done...

I finished writing the synopsis for the WIP I'm submitting, and I'm worrying: Did I do the best I know how? I'm happy with the query letter, but uncertain of the synopsis. I'll be using the Desert Rose Mentor Program once more. I'm only allowed to use it twice a year. This will be twice. I'll have made everything the very best I'm able. Then it's in God's hands.

Done doesn't really mean done...

Even though the manuscript is finished, there is still the synopsis to write and the query letter. Those rough drafts were done, today. I'll do the re-write, tomorrow, and plan to contact the Desert Rose Mentor Program, this week.

Done, again...

The re-write is done. I still need to edit more words to meet the requirement, but that's simple enough to do. Tomorrow, it's time to write the synopsis. My heart and head fill with dread. I've written chapter by chapter summaries, but never a proper synopsis. I'm scared witless. But, tomorrow it is. We'll see how I do.

God's reassurances...

I found myself wondering again what I thought I was doing. I expressed the concern to God, then I put in the work, and unexpectedly finished re-writing and editing six, yes SIX, chapters. There are only one or two chapters left, depending on how I divide this up. I have over a thousand words I need to edit out, but I'm not as worried about that now, considering how many thousand I've added and edited out already. Then it's time to write the synopsis, but one thing at a time. Thank you, God, for all the help.

Breathe...

I've done the rewrite of the chapter that had to change because of all the new information, which contains the reveal. It was a bit more difficult than I anticipated. What had been amusing in the original is now filled with anger and betrayal, which means a chapter several chapters away had to be moved closer... I think... I may change that back yet... I'll think about it, overnight, and decide, tomorrow. It's a better story.

Working on the last chapters...

I read through and did some light editing of the last chapters. I need to go through it in more depth, but it was a start.

National Day of Prayer....

May God bless you.

Brain is back, again...

...and four more chapters are done. The next chapter is critical, and will need a re-write with the additional information. It's already started, and I'm looking forward to seeing the new work.