The Test of Time

The past three weeks have been an up and down adventure in editing my novel, Pierced By Love, as I've worked closely with my editor, Melissa, at Cedar Fort to make this story the best it can possibly be. Did we succeed? Only time will tell. The book goes to print on Monday--Wow! This is really happening!

I carefully read through my novel three times in the past week and sent it back to Melissa with the changes I needed her to make. (At this point of the process, the changes could only be made from her end.) Each time Melissa sent the latest version back to me with a couple questions, she asked me to read through it again. Imagine my surprise even after I thought I had caught all the typos and writing glitches, there were more to be found. By now, I've read my story for at least the twentieth time. Yet there's always room for improvement.

Of course, a work in progress will always be just that until the author (and editor, if the author is going the traditional route in the publishing stage) say enough is enough. No, it will never be perfect. But it will be a piece of literature that will stand the test of time. It will be a symbol of your own life, attitudes, and accomplishments. And yes, it will also shape other minds, hopefully for the better.

Children are works in progress as well. Our parenting will never be perfect, but as long as we do our best, it will always be enough. Eventually kids need to be given the chance to meet the world and face the challenges in their paths. And like a book that meets it's world, some will choose them and others won't. But like that book, a child is a symbol of your attitudes and accomplishments and has the ability to shape minds for generations to come. Who wouldn't want to leave such a tremendous legacy?