The first time I ever set a manuscript aside and said those magic words was probably close to two years ago. Now if you’ve been following along, what was before I considered myself a writer. That was back when I did this for “fun”.
I distinctly remember the moment, however. I suspect I will always remember it, being that it was the first. I was sitting on the floor of my living room, white pages of type scattered around the low coffee table my Dad made me and marking up the pages with a blue pen. My husband was sitting on the couch watching something on TV, or perhaps mindlessly channel surfing (I don’t remember that part). I reached the last line. I read it again. I liked it. I looked up at my husband, equal parts surprised and proud, and said, “I think it’s done.”
Absolutely nothing happened with that manuscript after that. Oh I put all the edits I found into the computer, I saved the file. But I didn’t give it another thought, unless “it’s not even remotely worth anyone’s time” is a thought. Until a few months ago.
A few months ago, after finishing my WIP I opened up that file again. I think it was more out of curiosity than anything else. Sitting there in the computer chair, I started reading it again.
“Hm, this isn’t bad. I bet I could just change…”
I was hooked. I printed it (again) and brought out that pen. This time, armed with my new knowledge of the writing process and tips from some great writers, I made a lot more changes. I moved whole chapters, I removed lots of words.
Today I reread it again. Guess what, it’s good. It’s not what I had been writing recently (read: it’s not young adult) but it’s good.
It’s done…again.
Only this time it doesn’t have to sit in a figurative drawer (literal google drive). This time it’s hitting agents near you.
2016 might just be the year.
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