Typing “The End” – An Incredible Feeling

100 days ago I accepted a challenge from writing guru Joe Bunting with The Write Practice to pen a first-draft of my first novel. A few moments ago, thanks to a 24-hour deadline reprieve that arrived in the form of a miracle, I typed “The End.”

Paring down excessive verbiage and tightening the dialogue, I submitted a few words shy of 70,000, which translates into a twenty-five chapter, 300-page novel.  With a second draft, I imagine it will grow another 5,000 words, or so.  And that’s fine. Who wants to read more than 300-350 words anyway?

By rekindling my love affair with words, I don’t believe I’ll go a day without writing from this point forward. Comparatively, reaching this goal without bailing or failing represents an unmatched sensation for me because it doesn’t require a lot of distraction for me to go off the grid and find endless excuses to justify it.

Those of you who know me well might recall my opportunities to continue working as a journalist took a side journey when I entered the world of English education in 2001. I absolutely harbor no regrets for turning to teaching, but even my former students will acknowledge there were some cloudy days when it was obvious I’d rather write than teach writing.

In the course of three months and some change, I’ve learned to commit thirty to forty hours a week to honing my craft, usually at very odd time periods like between midnight and two a.m. (best time ever!). I’ve learned to write in a room full of noise and not hear a sound; on a bumpy flight with no concerns for a stranger reading over my shoulder; as an annoying passenger in a car during a blinding rainstorm, all the while using a phone, I-pad, laptop, or notebook.

I’ve chased nearly 20 characters in and out of all sorts of scenarios while developing two distinct storylines – one set in current times and the other during the 1940s – all the while trusting none of us were going down a rabbit hole together. I had no intention of allowing that to happen.

So, draft #2 starts next week with me confirming that the structure of my suspense novel, with a dash of fantasy, is sufficiently grounded. To those who’ve encouraged me through the process, keep those benevolent thoughts coming my way as publication remains four to five months away.