Tuesday, June 22, 2010

The Finished Novel: Dream or Doom?

My novel is finished! Actually, it's been finished for quite a while, but I decided that I wouldn't query any agents to move toward publishing until I have absolutely, positively, not even the slightest urge to make sticky notes, go back and fix something, or anything else that remotely resembles editing.

I'm happy to say, I reached that point a few weeks ago. Yay for me! In fact, to take a quote directly from my family dinner table, "Total yayness!"

So why is the title of this post, "Dream or Doom?" Because now that my query letters have been sent and I have no book to work on, here is how my day looks:

Wake up. Check e-mail to see if there are any query responses.

Pour coffee. Check to see if there are any query responses.

Do a couple of household chores that don't take me too far away from the computer because I have to be able to check. And check, and check, and check.

Decide that it would be best to leave the house. Go out, do some clothes shopping, take the kids to the pool, do a large grocery shopping, and return in no longer than 15 minutes.

Check e-mail and find that there is a query response and they've requested a partial! Send partial immediately, then resume checking because surely the agent is sitting at her computer, holding her breath and unable to concentrate on anything else because she's so excited about my book.

Check again. Get reprimanded by Gmail because it's been checked too recently.

And so on.

I've received some positive responses. I'm excited! A few days have gone by and I've now developed my new plan: Leave the house. Every day. Do other things. Do not think about my finished book, my next book, my old book, or anything else that resembles a book of any kind. Maybe read a magazine, but also go the long way so I don't have to drive past the library, which makes me think about books. My books.

Okay, I'm obsessed. I admit it.

Thank goodness I don't have e-mail on my cell phone. Wait!... I think the Apple Store is having a sale... which would be shopping and therefore counts toward my plan of keeping busy...

See? I'm doomed. And it's a dream. Both. Wish me luck!

3 comments:

  1. I do wish you luck. I also know that your dream will come true. Love you

    ReplyDelete
  2. Not just one responce, but 2 favorable responces!!!!! I am very proud of you and know that all your hard work with pay off and everyone will be reading your book (s?) in no time at all!

    Xoxoxoxoxoxo - Your biggest fan!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ahhh... all this love coming my way. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are welcome; please make sure they are relevant to the discussion. Thanks for participating!