So here I am, only a couple days away from vacation, and about to embark on the journey of my life. The trip that will allow me to complete my work. I'll be going down to Mexico to enjoy the rays, spend time with my family, do some hard work, and relax. This won't be a sipping margaritas by the poolside type of trip I suspect... as I'm going down to my parents home, which does require some work once we get there. But once all of that is out of the way, I'll be on the verge of completing Book 1.
Of course, this is just the first draft of book 1, and I'm not sure how many drafts I'll need to create before I bring this to a publisher - at least 2 more edits. I've given the work to a few friends, and I have a few more that will take a look at a more polished version, as I'd like to reserve their skills till the end. There is a great deal of time and effort that goes into editing and reviewing, and it's not to be taken lightly, so this review process has to be well thought out.
Once I've gone through and taken in the edits, critiques and opinions of my friends, I will bring it to a professional editor for review. I'm not sure how much that will cost, but whatever it is... it'll be worth it. The thing about writing over a prolonged period of time, and the funny thing about evolution, is that you end up getting better. So I would not be surprised by comments about my style actually improving as the story progressed. So now it's a matter of going back and fixing parts that need fixing... adding content where necessary, and adhering to proper standards for authorship. I have some resources on the subject, which I will be reviewing as I go... and I will begin to integrate those thoughts and concepts within the material.
It's funny how you get totally different reviews from certain people. Some are very willing to encourage... where some others are very willing to critique. Some are very aware of their own faults and their own presence, and so they are reserving their comments only until the entire work is complete, for fear of becoming overbearing or influencing the creation of the work. It's a fragile thing... writing something for this length of time, and staying encouraged, and being excited... and not wanting to share it at times... and at other times you just can't stop talking about it. But as everyone internalizes everything, and takes in the information and filters it through their own perspective, they cannot and will not see things as I do - so it's not always appropriate to discuss the work.
Although, it's hard to keep a lid on something like this - simply because feedback becomes your life blood at times, especially if work gets in the way of the writing, or the universe turns your focus toward other activities. Sometimes it's those certain special friends that are there that make all the difference - when that friend becomes your biggest fan and keeps pushing you to go on, and keeps you motivated to stay interested, and finally reminds you that this ... will be what you what you've always wanted - it's people like that who makes the whole process seem worth while. I'm lucky that I have that experience as a part of my process - otherwise, this could have taken a great deal longer to complete. This has always been something that I've had to do... but when you're ready - life provides you with just the right amount of catalysts to bring you through to completion.
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