Posted by Cherry Northcutt on November 11, 2018
I finished my book!!! I have written a full and complete mystery novel. It’s over 80,000 words. And, it only took me seven years! Seven years, on and off, of writing during lunch breaks at work, scribbling in notebooks at parties, and running off to Panera or Chick-Fil-A for marathon writing sessions fueled by coffee or iced tea.
I finished the first draft last year and then did some re-writes, editing and fixing up plot holes. My third draft is now complete! (See how I switched to passive voice there?)
So I’ve given the book to some ‘Beta Readers’ and I’m anxiously awaiting their feedback. Initial responses have been positive, but these people are my friends. Still, they seem to really like it and I think I could tell if they were lying. Right?
Here are some early reviews:
“I was thoroughly entertained.” – Kathy E.
“I really hate the character of Doris.” – Pam M.
“I’m so proud of you, it’s like a real book!” – Judy M.
With comments like that, how can I go wrong?
So, as with everything in my life, I am learning by trial and error. I am strictly an amateur with no experience other than freelance writing for local magazines, newspapers, websites, and two years with a PR firm.
I am learning how to write query letters and find an agent. The Writer’s Market guide to literary agents suggested that I start my own author website and author Facebook page, even now, before I am published. So that’s what I’m doing.
I am an elder Gen-Xer so I am technologically challenged and trying to create my own website (especially when I have no book to sell as of yet) is daunting. I’m sure I’m doing it wrong. But, I will forge ahead without really knowing what I’m doing, as with most things in my life. And, I will blog about the process. I’ve got to have something on this website, after all. And, I will break the rules of not starting sentences with the words But or And or So.
So, here’s looking forward to making mistakes and having regrets!
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