We Have A Winner!

Gema, dear friend since grade school, I am happy to announce that you are the winner of the Clinique moisturizer for being the first to read my manuscript!  And you have also won my undying devotion for saying, "I spent the day reading your book and loved it!  Congratulations!"

As you know, dear reader, I have been hard at work murdering darlings.  Only a few superfluous phrases and unnecesary scenes are stepping forward to be liberated from my novel, though, and the rest are hiding behind important plotlines and setups.  How to keep at the editing?
I'm glad you asked.  Sometimes I have to stop trying so hard.  When I am not consciously thinking about my manuscript, ideas of ways to make it better just come to me.  The following game has been a fun way to get unconscious :)  Just click and drag the blue guy up, drop him, and see what happens.   
http://www.funbrain.com/brain/SweepsBrain/Games/Game.html?GameName=DesertDive&Brain=kidsandparents&Grade=0&GameNumber=1
Fair warning:  it's addictive, so only do this when your brain really needs a break.

Week One; We Wait

So I’ve shared my novel with a few friends and David Henry Sterry - Mr. Book Doctor, and  now I wait.  I have a sneaking suspicion that people aren't reading my novel, but I’ve been there myself.  People who have written manuscripts tend to have a scary look in their eyes:  part desperation, part manic insanity.  I've run the other way myself, just like everyone seems to be doing with me, and I know why.  No one wants to deal with people who are so egotistical they believe they can write a novel.  No doubt it’s a manifesto of some sort, anyway since those  writers are a crazy lot, right?
Meanwhile, I’m floundering without writing.  I don’t like not writing.  Even yesterday, when I got a massage from the Chinese Acupressure guys with the massage chairs in the mall, I felt uncomfortable.  What?  No one gets massages from these guys?  That explains a lot.  Anyway, after my massage, I picked up my free gift with purchase at the Clinique department in Dillards.   I’ve been looking forward to owning yet another pretty bag and $65 worth of makeup I don’t need, but after the initial rush of excitement, my gift seemed meaningless. 
A free spray of Chanel No 5 lifted my spirits, as did a  Starbucks iced caffe mocha, but the truth remains; I’m only going to be happy when I’m writing.  This stage of the process – the sales and marketing part – is a necessary evil, though.  I’m showing the world I believe in what I’ve written enough to fight for it.  I’m showing the world my determination.  And yes, I’m showing the world just how crazy I really am.
Meanwhile, the first reader who returns my manuscript will get a bottle of Clinique moisturizer (you didn't think I'd give away the whole bag did you?).

Manuscript? Check! Tea Leaves? Check!

I did it!  I finished my manuscript today!  Actually, I finished yesterday.  Today I changed one word, and now I'm wondering if I should change it back.  No matter; there are 91,370 words total, so I'm going to leave the word for now.  It's time to celebrate! 
Alas, two minutes into my crazy girl dance, a list has generated itself in my mind of all that needs to be done now that I am rejoining the rest of humanity.  It's time to pay some bills, call my mother, and return those overdue library books.  But first on my to-do list is updating my blog. 
The last time I blogged was two years ago, just before Nanowrimo of 2010, when I set everything aside to write what became the rough draft of my young adult novel, "The Existence of Pity."  Now, on August 31, Blue Moon Day, I can finally say the project is complete. I want to thank the dear ones who made it possible:  my sweet husband Chris, my darling daughters, and wonderful Diane Skelton.  Without them, there is no way I would have crossed that finish line.  My family offered comic relief and delicious dinners while Diane was a constant source of enthusiasm and motivation.  Thank you all so much!  New cars all around!
But wait, Olivia just showed me this link, http://www.mylifetime.com/astrology/free-readings/chinese/reading-tea-leaves and my tea leaves say I haven't crossed the finish line.  No, I've only stepped up to the racing blocks.  I've written a manuscript, but now it's time to get it published, and my tea leaves tell me I'll need lots of patience.  I don't have patience!  All I can say is I hope Chris, Olivia, Natalie, and Diane will stick around.  They've been so patient with me, maybe they can show me how it's done.