ON FINISHING GODTALK

Two days ago, on Monday, October 3, 2005, I finished the first draft of the young adult novel entitled Godtalk. It came in at 208 pages. I always enjoy typing THE END on the last page of a book length manuscript, printing out the final chapter, and adding it to the pages I have hole-punched and slipped into a three-ring binder. Since I enjoy commemorating these little achievements (basically in case nothing else ever happens with the books), my famliy and I bought a cake, and I brought in donuts for my co-workers at school, and we had a little party.

I think it's very important to celebrate the small successes in life, too. And, in writing, it is a success--given all of life's obligations--to actually finish any large project you begin.

After a little cooling off time for the manuscript, and a little self-back patting for my ego, I will take out the three-ring binder and start the second draft. The prevailing wisdom says to wait anywhere from two weeks to three months before an edit, but the way I look at it, I wrote chapter one last May, so that's five months. By the time I get around to editing and revising a second draft of the last chapter, it will be at least a month old.

I have also pulled out the writing books I blogged about some time ago (see post), and will use them as guides to editing a second draft. And a third. And. . .

Nearly as difficult as writing the actual book is composing a cover letter and synopsis that will hook readers (namely, agents and editors) and get them to request the entire manuscript. That's also one aspect of the next step. I will also attempt to sell Godtalk at the Southern California Writers Conference in February 2006. Consequently, it must be in fairly good fighting shape by then.

Right now, though, I'm going to be happy that, at this count, I have written three complete books (You're a Teacher. . .So Act Like One!, Bad Moon Rising, and Godtalk.). It's all part of a contiuum of the writing process, meaning that no matter what happens with Godtalk, I must keep writing because the more I write, the better I'll get.

And if I get better, I'm bound to have some publishing success eventually.

At least that's the plan.