Write and Re-write until you get it right

Greetings this fine day,

After last week's computer glitch and loosing several written pages, I had to take a little time to recover.  After all, I had Chapter 12 of Secret of the Crystal: Destiny, perfect... just the way I wanted it... 

Then I was faced with having to re-write my perfectly orchestrated work. I was pretty bummed, but my wife kept encouraging me that I'll write again and will make it even better.

My wife is a wise woman as she was right, but I had to go through a bit of a learning experience to get there.

I wrote the first 5 pages again, trying to duplicate what I had before. Let me tell you, it's not worth it to try and duplicate.  I spent all last weekend trying to put back what was written and it became a very slow process.

That's when I decided to just quit worrying about what had been lost and move on.  You know, dust of the ol shoes and keep a walkin. 

Yesterday was the first day since last Sunday that I had any time to get back at it. A fresh mind is another key - if you are getting fatigued, take some time to rejuvenate. It will make the biggest difference in the quality you write.

The words just flowed like water down a falls to the page.  I finished chapter 12 and wrote a staggering 32oo words; a personal best for me.  The finished product has all the elements I was planning for and some great surprises that help the reader make the connection to the first book perfectly. 

I'm very happy with the way it has turned out, but it took me to write it and re-write it to make it right...

Now on to Chapter 13...

From the Author's Chair,
Brian K. Larson