I'm kind of in a euphoric state right now, so forgive me if the post looks like it was written by somebody who's boozed up. I may even cry. Feel free to cry with me. I have extra tissue.
Yesterday, I finished my FINAL round of edits on Sebastian Falls. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!
It's been a long journey to get where I'm at, but I wouldn't trade a single joyous, agonizing second of it.
Looking back to the beginning, I can recall all the emotions I felt when Sebastian Falls worked its way out of my head. Mostly, I was full of hope--a daydreaming dork determined to find my way into print.
When I wasn't writing, I tortured people, forced them to read excerpts of my crappy first draft or rambled about the HUGE success that I believed was coming my way. I'm sure lots of them wanted to knock me in the head with a blunt object, but usually, I got a lot of eye rolls and blank stares. A few seemed genuinely interested and excited. Those are the ones who helped me make it to the finish line.
I think we need cheerleaders to keep us going, because without them, we're likely to trip and be devoured by doubt. It's our little circle of believers that jerks us to our feet, waves us on, and stays behind to beat doubt with a stick while we rush to gather crumbs of confidence scattered along the winding path toward our goals.
If we're fortunate enough to have even one person to believe in our dreams with us, then we're a force that can't be stopped. We're suddenly rock stars who may sing off tune, but our pitchy performances don't matter because there's always tomorrow and an opportunity to get better. Pay no attention to Simon. What does he know?
As always, thanks to our Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh
and to Lynda Young, Mark Koopmans, and Rachna Chhabria! for co hosting this month's edition of The Insecure Writer's Support Group Bloghop
Until next time, happy writing or whatever makes you smile. :)
Aloha,
ReplyDeleteI'm stopping by as a co-host of IWSG and just wanted to say hi from Alex (Does that mean I'm a borg:)
PS... Wow! Congrats on *finishing* your book... you are so right, I am close to where you are and the feeling is great :)
Hey Mark,
ReplyDeleteSay hi to Alex from me too, lol!
Congrats to you! It's a beautiful thing! Can't wait until the final read is finished and I'm holding my baby in my hands! :)
How exciting! Good job! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks Debra!
Delete"I think we need cheerleaders to keep us going, because without them, we're likely to trip and be devoured by doubt."
ReplyDeleteLove it.
I'm going to go tweet that.
Awesome! That's the highest compliment ever! :)
DeleteThanks for being one of my favorite cheerleaders!!! Congrats on crossing the finish line. Can't wait to have my copy.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a blast being your cheerleader! Thanks for being mine too! And you don't know how ready I am for you to have a copy! Well, I take that back, of course you do because you've been here and done it already! :)
DeleteCongratulations! I love that done feeling. There's nothing better, but when I finish something big like that I always walk around for a while I try to figure out what I'm supposed to do next.
ReplyDeleteYes!!!! I know what you mean Rena! It'll be interesting to see how it all unfolds. :)
DeleteHaving someone believe in us can, yes, make all the difference. Congratulations to you!
ReplyDeleteFor sure, Julie! Thanks for the congrats! :)
DeleteCongrats! It is a wonderful surreal feeling to finish that ms. And thanks for those some words of wisdom too.
ReplyDeleteOk, my inner editor is obviously out to lunch. ^^ ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks, CE! Now I just have to wait for the final read and it goes to print! And lol, my inner editor does that to me a lot too. :)
DeleteThis is so amazing :D Congrats!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, SC! :)
DeleteCongrats!! Definitely celebrate that! And I couldn't agree more about the importance of having people cheer you on when you're in the throes of writer doubt. My friends have talked me down off the ledge more times than I care to admit. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, L.G.! I know what you mean about those ledges. I've found myself there a few times too! :P
DeleteMy wife was that person who believed in me. She prodded me forward even when I doubted rewriting that old manuscript.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on finishing the revisions!!
That's awesome, Alex. So many writers are married to people who don't get "it". I'm glad your wife is your #1 cheerleader!
DeleteThanks for the congrats! Now, break out the punch and cake, lol! :D
Yay - you must be so excited, happy and relieved! It's important to celebrate every accomplishment since it often takes so long to write that first draft or finish another revision. That's a lot of work, and you should be really proud! :-)
ReplyDeleteI agree! We should party like rockstars!!! I can't wait for the final proof read!
DeleteOh wow! That's a great achievement! *clapping hands*
ReplyDeleteThanks Misha! :)
ReplyDeleteWe must be our own cheerleader often, for we must believe in the worth of our dream before we can convince anyone else of it!
ReplyDeleteThank you for always seeming to visit when I need a shoulder squeeze of support. :-)
May SEBASTIAN FALLS amaze you with its success!
So true, Roland. You always have wise words. I wouldn't miss your blog for anything. You're stuck with me.
DeleteThanks for the well wishes. I'm believing! :)
Congratulations! You rock!
ReplyDelete... and even though he has an amazing knack for recognizing a superstar-in-the-making, Mr. Cowell can't sing a single note in tune... LOL
Writer In Transit
Ha! Take that Simon! Thanks for the congrats, Michelle. :)
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