Good news: today I finished the first draft of ESCAPE FROM FIRE MOUNTAIN! And ahead of schedule too!! (My goal was to write 1,000 words a day and finish by the end of January.)
The final word count ended up right at 37,000 words, which is just right for a midgrade. But as any writer knows, the first draft is just the beginning. So. What now? I'll take this draft with me on Friday to my writing group. Then, in maybe a month or two I'll pick it back up again and see some of the glaring errors I've made.
But right now I'm gonna go make me a cup of red zinger tea and be very grateful for this day.
"What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from."
- T.S. Eliot
Congratulations Irene!! I always feel good when I have accomplished something. Is this a poetry book also??
ReplyDeleteHi Alison! Yes, it feels very good to have accomplished what I set out to accomplish. :) This is the second novel for kids -- called a midgrade because it is for ages 8 - 12. It is set in 1902 Martinique and is about an American girl and a native boy surviving the eruption of Mt. Pelee. For some reason I got obsessed with Pelee (killed 30, 000 people in a matter of minutes) and have researched it for about a year. Now, finally, it has all come together in this novel! It's a survival book - very exciting. The editor I've been working with at Putnam on the Gee's Bend midgrade novel has first dibs on it -- I'll keep you posted. :) Meanwhile, thank you as ever for your support!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful!! My children are 12 and 8 and voracious readers...please let me know when it is published so I can order it!! Congrats again!!
ReplyDeleteI sure will. :) Cool that your kids are big readers! What are some of their faves?
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Irene! Such a huge step towards completing the process. I feel very proud of you! My thirteen year old daughter is resting in bed with me(She stayed home from school with a cold today.), and I was telling her about your new book. She said that she would love to read it when it comes out. I told her that I would like to read it with her. Please keep us posted. Such wonderful news!
ReplyDeleteI do hope that you are starting to feel better.
Hugs,
Debbie
Debbie, you have got to be the sweetest mom alive. You inspire me. I think I am coming out of the tunnel now.. been a tough week. Thanks for writing!
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