Happy Friday & Random Writing Tip

It’s Friday! Yay!!

Yesterday afternoon I got revisions for CAGED MAGIC. I’m going to process them overnight then dive in. I’ve made progress, but the book still needs some work. This is the home stretch, that last mile to the finish line. I think most writers are fatigued at this point, but it’s more important than ever to stay 100% focused on the finish line. Sometimes it’s too easy to just give up, or to start celebrating too soon and not do that final push needed to take the book all the way across the finish line.

Like this guy — the runner that started celebrating too soon.

 

That had to suck for him. I don’t want to be that guy. Of course, I’m pretty much the opposite, never sure I’m going to make it until I’m actually on the other side. This is the point where I have to shake off any doubts or worried and believe in myself and the book. Because that’s what gives us that last burst of energy to get us across the finish line.

I had a wonderful reminder of why this is the point where believing can pay off. We just did the final proofread on EXPOSING THE HEIRESS (slated for August 4th release), and the proofreader contacted me to tell me she loved it.  Man, that is so nice to hear at this stage when I can’t really change anything significant. But here’s the key point: I love that book NOW, but like all my books, there was a point where I loathed it. When I was sure it wasn’t working, that it was boring, that…well you get the idea.

All that kept me going was that I chose to believe in myself and story, and kept going until I hit that finish line.  So when I read the proofreader’s lovely comments, all I could think was — what if I’d given up? Quit? Or lost focus (like that poor guy in the video above who celebrated his win prematurely)?

That’s my unsolicited writing and life advice for the day. Believe in yourself and what you’re doing, and hit that finish line!