I finished writing the book. Next step?

Painting by James Jean

 Last night I finished writing my novel An-Ya.

It has been a long writing journey.

Since I began the book... much has happened in between the pages of my life.

There have been long periods that I have been utterly diverted from completing my writing goals.

Death around me has been my biggest obstacle. In the end it became my greatest motivator.

I love the book because I love the characters and I am in love with how the characters came to be.

Does that mean that it is a good book? No. I have no idea if it is a good book.

I have no idea if the book will mean anything to anyone beyond me and my family.  And that is ok.

I just know that I finished.  I have written 311 double spaced pages that have a beginning, middle and an end.

Finishing meant saying goodbye again. Goodbye to another chapter of my life.

It also means I get to say Hello to a brand new chapter that will take me somewhere I have yet to discover. For now that means the editing/publishing chapter that feels quite daunting. As a short story writer the novel writing world is virtually unknown to me.

I find the littlest details intimidating- Like writing a summary for the novel.  Submitting short stories does not require a summary.  How do I shrink 311 pages into a few paragraphs?  I studied fiction writing for years and there is still so much to learn.

I may have been gone from here for several months but I am still next door in my heart.

This blog has provided amazing gifts to my life and the life of my children. I really don’t know what I will do with it once I reach the publishing stages of my novel. 

I will let you know when I take the next step...which might mean a new blog place to call home.

Happy Holidays to you and yours. I can’t thank you enough for the times that you were here for me and my family. Even if you have just read along and thought about us- Thank you.

-Diane