I have been bouncing between giddy elation and morbid self-doubt for the past couple of days. No, I’m not on drugs; I finished the rewrites on my manuscript and have finally printed the second draft.
Three cheers for me!
When I printed the first draft many, many moons ago, I was somewhat surprised to find there was no sense of relief and only a small feeling of accomplishment. I realise now it was because I knew there was still so much work to do!
I refused to show it to anyone – even my husband.
Especially my husband.
He is not a fan of women’s fiction at the best of times and the first draft was definitely not the best of anything.
But this time is different. I literally did a Dance of Joy while I watched it print. I have given a copy to two people whose feedback will be valued when I get to the next round of editing. This time I am happy for other people to read it… proof that I consider it close to finished and of a quality that satisfies my own standards of expectation.
Funny enough, I have not yet read it in its entirety. I am determined to follow my own advice:
When it is finished, set it aside for at least a few weeks and then read it as if you have never seen it before.
Hopefully I won’t hate it then.
For now I shall simply relish the feeling of completion.
It is done.
theresewelch.com 