Whoa! I’m done???

Yes! I’m done with Mally the Maker: The Queen in the Quilt!

No, this isn’t a stack of blank pages. I’ve just flipped the top page because it’s still in need of a lot of editing.

This stack feels HUGE, but I know the finished book won’t be this thick. This is formatted for a manuscript on 8.5 x 11 pages with double spacing between the lines so it’s easy to edit.

I’ve been working on this novel since October. Every day I wake up an hour early and spend that time writing. I haven’t had big blocks of time, but I’ve chipped away at it a little bit every day.

I got a bit stuck at the very end. I kept going back to fix things in the middle that I was avoiding writing the end of the book. I knew exactly how it was going to end, but it was sort of scary to finish it.

Then Josh gave me one final deadline and I decided to put myself in jail to finish it. I went to a coffee shop and told myself I couldn’t leave until the book was done. A hearty protein breakfast, bowl of fresh fruit, one really big cup of coffee and three hours later, the book was done!

The next step is editing. Josh is starting that process today, then I’ll take it back and make the changes. Then I’m going to listen to it a few times. I mostly listen to audiobooks and since that’s the way I prefer to absorb fiction, I figure that’s the best way to listen for issues. Whenever I roll my eyes or yell at the book (get on with it already!!!) then obviously something will need to change.

So while it’s not done – done, the hardest part is over. The bones of the book have been built and I’m so happy with the story and the fun journey I’ve had with these characters. Now what will I do with myself in the morning? Sleep late?

Nope. I’m already planning Book 2!

Let’s go quilt,

Leah Day