So on February 26th, 2020 at 12:01 AM I finished the first draft of my novel. 2 months later than I had hoped, 5 chapters over what I expected and 197 pages later, I went to sleep with a smile on my face. Who knew writing a novel would take so long while working three jobs! Well I was within the bounds of finishing when one of my jobs closed it's location for construction which freed up the time I needed to dedicate myself to giving Bella Marshall the ending she deserved.
There were a lot of coffee houses, pizza shops, laundromats, friend's houses, desks, chairs, stairs, you name it, I was writing there. The one thing about writing is I tend to lose myself in the story. I am a fully functioning human on the outside. Going to work, clocking in, putting in the hours and a smiling face but inside, the characters are alive and their story builds until the next time I can open a notebook or my laptop. (I carry them all)
The day I finished the first draft I felt as though a weight was lifted off of my chest, like I could breath again. I took the day to myself and celebrated with a big juicy burger at a neighborhood spot and a good book that I had started over the fall.
It was time to let my eyes rest and come back with fresh eyes. So now the FUN begins, and I have to admit, the nerd in me is rising. I've started back at page one with my number two pencil, a thin tip red pen and the excitement of a child with a new box of crayons. I remember where I was when I wrote each paragraph and how I was feeling and now my new perspective is allowing me to guide this book into it's next phase, it's officially a tween. It's messy and aggravating but beautiful in its innocence. I have so much to teach it and I look forward to the chances I have to dive in. It's like experiencing a new flavor of gobstopper at Willie Wonka's Chocolate factory. Sometimes I forget the little bits I wrote, little quirks that make me laugh or lines that make me proud to say... I wrote that.
I can't wait to share this journey with you. I've come to learn that deadline's might not be a strength of mine, but I am hoping to finish editing the first draft by the end of April. From there I will be exploring the world of self publishing and if that avenue just isn't a good fit, then you will be the first to know where you can find Bella Marshall and figure out what all the Finding Inspiration is all about.
Thank you again for stopping by. I wish you a beautiful day and may you have a chance to enjoy something or someone you love today.
Cheers,
Blondesheep