On Saturday, August 31, 2019 at 7:18am, I finished my first draft of Project HEART. Wow.
It’s been a couple weeks since I typed those magical words (“The End”) and I have to say that I’m still floating on a completely different altitude. Not only am I grateful for all of the kind comments and congratulations from friends, family, and readers (even complete strangers have been showing love. Thank you guys so much!), but I’m flying high for an even bigger reason. I finally proved to myself that I can finish.
I try to be as self-aware as I can. One of my strengths is that I’m very passionate. When I put my mind to something, I’m on fire and I blaze ahead. But one of my weaknesses is that I do not finish well. All of that passion usually sputters to a stop in the middle of a project (sometimes even before that point), and I move on to the next thing. I would have great spurts of writing frenzies... followed days and weeks of nothing. Because of this major thorn in my side, I secretly doubted if I’d ever finish a novel.
It wasn’t until I really pushed myself to a new level of discipline that I finished my book. I have proven to myself that I can and will finish even more books.
So, the book is done. Can we read it now, sis?
Notttt quite. Remember when I told you about my chosen path to publication? I’ve just completed the FIRST step, which was finishing the manuscript. There are many others.
Next up, I’ll be:
Starting first round of revisions in December
Letting my lovely Critique Partners read and review it
Going into my second round of revisions based off CP feedback
Giving the book to a few betas to get reader feedback
One last round of revisions
Preparing my query and getting ready to submit to agents
But don’t worry! I warned you it might take time before I’m published but it will be worth your while. I plan to take you every step of the journey with me.
In the meantime, what am I up to? I’ve already started my next book!
As always, thank you for sticking with me through this journey. I’m so privileged that you’d want to join me for the ride.
With love,
Jeida K. Storey