Day 507: Finish LinePOSTED MAR 13, 2009

I'm thrilled to announce the completion of my 125,000 word novel, at least to the degree where it's ready to be submitted to publishers; please join me in praying that it finds its way to the right one.

So, what have I accomplished since October 23, 2007? Having a full novel typed out definitely feels like an accomplishment (it did back in August, but now, after two stages of editing, it actually reads like a published novel) and, if I may be a little biased, it's one of the best works of fiction I'd ever read. No, that's not biased at all. ;-) It began as an experiment to see if I could write seriously, and it was two months before I mentioned this project to anyone. In March, a year ago, I saw the project as a success and decided to devote more time to it. I also noticed that no existing work (that I could find published) resembled mine, and the Lord laid it on my heart to finish the work without delays. The novel consumed the lion's share of my free time until it was typed-out in August, and again for the First Edited Draft until December. For January, I finally let myself take a break (there was a short break in August, but it didn't count because I had to focus on my promotion/shift-change at work). The break was necessary to let my brain cool off and regain the objectivity I'd need to finish editing; it also gave my test-readers time to give me feedback. With today's completion of the Second Draft, the writing stage officially ends, and my energy can go elsewhere, such as preparing for publishers/agents/whatever else. I have to write a cover letter... I hate cover letters.

Now, unless you were on the short list of test-readers, you might be itching for me to post more on this site. <rampant bias> After all, the novel is the best fiction ever written, so I can hardly blame you, and it'll become a movie and make piles of money, and world peace will break out because it's just that good and philosophical. </rampant bias> I'm still deciding what to put on the Montclair/CAF Page (which won't have the project name, but the actual book title), the synopsis seems likely, once I've begun sending to cover/query letters to publishers.

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