Yard Sale of Thoughts

What a wham bam week! Many of you know I started on an adventure several years ago to draft my first novel titled Fascination. And with the help of many female writing friends, I was able to finish my first draft in the summer of 2021. I have to admit, it was a glorious moment for me.

But since then, I”ve taken my sick novel to several doctors, but not been sure about any of the diagnoses. I realize now that I was just too close to the story to see it clearly.

After a few close friends read my manuscript and offered some specific edits, I honestly just felt overwhelmed. Any time I opened my manuscript, I had doubts. I kept asking: Am I making this story worse? Am I making it better? And so Fascination found a coffin-like black box to rest in.

Then, I got super busy as a reading specialist. Then, the international move. Well, there’s always something.

But I’m happy to report that this week, my novel has risen from the dead (think a female Frankenstein). What prompted this was the Write Anyway Summit where I was able to listen to some amazing women with candid advice for people like me.

Then this past week, I met with a new editor, and she really gave me some structured advice for how to use storytype to guide my novel.

Small steps. Deadlines. Blindfolds. That’s the plan moving forward. (Okay, I thew that last one in just for fun).

So, right now, I’m reading my own novel with fresh eyes, jotting down ideas and enjoying my creation from the vantage point of time. ( I swear, she’s not as ugly as I thought she was in 2022).

I feel confident that I can finish this project and publish Fascination as I always intended to do.

So, right after my conversation with the new editor, this song came on my random 80’s playlist during my commute.

How. Perfect.

Fascination, my opus to the world. I’m ready to strap back into the chair for her. I’m ready to take on some tough jolts of advice.

So, I ask you, dear readers, please send me your positive writing mantras and …keep feeling Fascination, would ya? If I’m not around as much in the coming months (let’s be real, I’m sporadic at the best of times, anyway) please know that I’m probably elbow deep in some sordid scene somewhere tinkering with its guts.

And you know what? I’m happy to do it because today, I’m back to rooting for myself. And, I hope some day soon this novel will be worthy of being read by each of you.

Happy Friday!

Katie