My ultimate Christmas present this year would be to obtain a publishing contract for my novel, In the Shadow of the Dragon King. It would make my day and people all the way from Florida to Maine and across to Washington state would hear my jubilation if that happens. But it won’t happen unless I finish the re-write and edits I need to do.
It’s been slow going. There have been ‘life’ issues that have gotten in the way, there have been moments of self-doubt. I let NaNo really jump start the enthusiasm and dedication, and I have almost half of my second novel in the Fallhollow saga complete. More importantly, I’ve completed the revisions to Dragon King.
Well, I thought I did, that is until my teenage son caught two huge holes in the re-write that I didn’t catch, so, it was back to the editing block. Now I have disembodied voices, an army of fey that weren’t there before and more ‘age appropriate’ dialogue for my ‘was-15, now 17’ year old main character. The edits have not been easy but I have to say, I love the way the novel has unfolded before me. The characters are richer, the plot line more focused and intense.
I had hoped to send it to beta readers 2 weeks ago, but alas, it didn’t happen. My granddaughter came to visit (love, love, love her so much) and she will be here next Friday for another 5 days before she moves to Seattle. I won’t get much writing done during that time, but that’s okay. I can’t get these moments back with her so the writing will have to wait. I pray my MS will be with my treasured beta readers by then so I can sit back and enjoy the little tike.
Dragon King has been way long in the making and has undergone so many changes that it looks nothing like it did when I first started the novel years ago. Yes, I said years. I can’t wait to see it in its final glory and in print. The idea of it makes me smile. I can’t imagine how I’ll feel to hold the real deal in my hands the first time.
What about you? What is your wish come true for the holiday season? Does the thought of getting published awaken butterflies in your belly? If you’ve been published, what did it feel like to see your hard work finally in print?
YA Chit Chat 