Current Projects

I'd tell you all about what I'm writing, except then I'd have a heart attack, become paranoid about my work, and probably stop writing all together. 

What I will tell you is that I am working on my first head-bangingly frustrating novel. I will very likely have several concussions before this blasted book is written. Every night, when the kids are in bed, I pull out my laptop, ignore my very understanding husband, and write as much as I can.

I finally finished my first draft. It's terrible. I mean, really, it's bad.

Right now I'm working on the first rewrite. And you know what? It's a lot more fun than a first draft, but it's still really hard. Especially since I'm writing the entire story all over again.

I keep reminding myself of how under-qualified I am to take on an endeavor like this, and how there are so many others I know who are more experienced that should be writing this book in my place. A favorite college professor and novelist, Chris Crowe, sent me a message of encouragement a while back. In it he said:

"The first step [to write a novel] is simply to finish that first draft---and not to worry too much about it's quality. The first full draft is only the beginning: expect to spend at least 50% of your time on this novel in revision.  But perseverance really is the key.  My friend, Dean Hughes, just published his 100th novel, and he said that every time he starts a new book, he feels like he's made a huge mistake because he's sure that he has no idea how to write a novel and no confidence that he'll ever finish another one.  To finish a novel, you have to push ahead in faith---knowing all the time that you'll have PLENTY of time to rewrite and revise."

I am pushing ahead, hoping that at some point I'll be able to hold a finished product in my hand and feel that it's good enough to share.