Another deadline done!

If it’s Monday, May first, I am preparing to send another book to my publisher. I’d tell you which number book it was for me, but honestly, I have no idea. I’ve been doing this so long I lost count–and then I don’t really know how to count my books. Do I count the collaborations? The few books I ghost-wrote (before I became convinced that they were false advertising)? The books that were two books, but the publisher combined into one, but I divided back into two after I released them myself?

So I don’t know what the number this book is, I’m only glad it’s done. At this point, I don’t know if my book is any good or not; I only know I’m glad to have it off my desk. This book was odd in some ways–I felt it was missing something, and I did four complete drafts before I ever settled on the ending. Even yesterday, my last real writing day, I made changes to the ending. Who knows? After hearing from my editor, I may change things again.

I struggled with keeping the book unpredictable. I don’t like starting a book and knowing how it’s going to end–the good girl will win, the bad girl will lose, etc., and this book is a little different, depending on how you see winning and losing. And if it sounds like I’m blathering on without making a lot of sense, well, that’s what coming up for air after reaching a deadline will do to you. I’m surprised I’m not sitting in a corner making toy boat noises.

So I have no great wisdom to impart today–I’m just here to say the book is done, I survived, and God is good. I hope the book is, too.

And now I’m taking a week “off” to do a dozen little things that need doing before I jump into the NEXT book, which also comes with a deadline. But honestly, without a deadline and a schedule, I don’t think I’d ever get anything done. Are you a scheduler? Or are you a more impulsive, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of person?

Whichever you are, I’m praying you have a relaxing, productive, wonderful Monday!

~~Angie