Finish! Terminar! Finir! Bitirmek! Done!

So, to start this I have to give a little background for those who don't know- Three years ago, I started writing a book. I haven't told alot of people about my book, out of worry. What if people think I'm bragging? What if I tell them, then it doesn't get published? What if they read it and think it stinks????? But, I decided to share, because I share everything else about my life on this blog. And, I can use all the good thoughts and prayers that I can get.

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It took me more than 2 years to finish it, but in May of 2007, I submitted it to a publisher. After waiting, and waiting, and waiting, I finally found out that they liked it, but wanted some revisions done, then I could resubmit it. I was a little bummed at first, because I felt like I had been rejected. After thinking about it, tho', I realized this was a good thing, (being invited to resubmit it). They hadn't rejected me after all.

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But, then I was faced with the task of rewriting. The publisher gave me some very specific guidelines on what they wanted to see changed. One of these was a major change to a plot line. I wasn't sure how long this would take, and as I said in my earlier blog, I needed to work on this, but didn't want to. In addition to the changes, I had a major roadblock in getting the book from my old computer to my new one. During this process, which is too long to describe, the spacing on the entire 196 pages got screwed up and I had to fix the line spacing, as well as the spacing after each sentence. I started making myself sit at the computer, ignore the blogs that were beckoning me, and work on my book. Then, on Wedsnesday evening, I finished it! I can't even begin to describe what a weight that took off my shoulders! This morning, I sent it off. (fingers crossed!)

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I learned some things during my rewrite-

1. Constructive critisism is only constructive if you take it that way.


2. Something that seems tedious, (fixing the spacing) can turn out to be a blessing in disguise. (It made me read the whole thing, very slowly.)


3. I need a computer chair. The dining chair I use is not made for sitting for hours. My butt and back are still sore.


4. Heavenly Father puts people in our way that will answer those frustrated prayers. (Randilyn, talking to you at midnight literally saved me.)


5. Optimsim. Pres. Hinckley says it best: "We have every reason to be optimistic in this world. Tragedy is around, yes. Problems everywhere, yes... You can't, you don't, build out of pessimism or cynisism. You look with optimism, work with faith, and things happen."

I have done the work, now I wait with faith and optimism that good things will happen. :)