Thanks Mark. One of the toughest things is to get the agents and editors and coaches out of our heads so we can just write. Get that first draft done and then face all the voices between us and pub. You are good. Really good. End of story.

Clay, you are an inspiration. For months now I’ve been trying to put together a manuscript based on my blog. It’s not a novel, but I don’t think it falls squarely into the nonfiction category, either, and I keep losing momentum and putting it down. I just start to feel stupid working on it. But this post has inspired me to stop worrying about the unknowns, finish a presentable manuscript, write a query letter, get it out there, and see what happens. Thank you, and congratulations on becoming a warrior writer, if only for a day. I’m enjoying watching your writing career develop…and taking notes.

As for writing, I am still struggling with one of my darling manuscripts. It has been through six edits, but I finally think I have figured out what it really needs. I’m letting my subconscious work on it now while I focus my efforts on a newer book that actually generated interest with the first agent to look at it. Eventually, I will go back and rebreak that book to bits. When the bones are set, I hope it heals nicely. 🙂

Happy writing!

Ouch. I’ve learned that the more time away, the better for the editing/rewrite time. Good to do what you’re doing and go onto the next project. I’m glad your hand isn’t crooked.

Now I keep two projects on the go at the same time. I’ve just finished the first draft of my fourth book. To get my mind completely out of it before I go back to the rewrite/revise/repeat cycle I’m spending the next six weeks (started this past weekend) researching, planning and plotting the fifth. My brain will be so buried in it that by the time I get back to the fourth it will be like looking at a book I haven’t seen in years.

(I broke my left hand – also a southpaw – a few decades ago by punching the padded wall of an elevator. It wasn’t really padded. No ampers-hand, thank God, so I haven’t had to have it re-broken. And I didn’t go see anybody at the time because who likes to admit they did something so stupid as punching an unpadded elevator wall?)

You definitely had me shuddering while reading about your hand. Yikes! Glad both your hand and writing ability have mended. It’s a good thought process to make us go through though. I’m still in those very early stages, and regardless of what happens (though of course I’d LIKE it to be published) I do need to write this book. I need to get this first one out. For now, we’ll keep plugging away.