Hi Everyone,
It’s crunch time again. I have a book due next week and I’m sitting at my desk for far too many hours every day, trying to make this story the best it can possibly be.
Right now I’m finishing up the manuscript for my 2025 story in the long-running Montana Mavericks series for Harlequin Books. I’ve written the book all the way to the end but it’s not finished. It needs streamlining. I need to cut repetition and make every word count.
Editing my own work is exhausting. I spend a lot of time scowling at my computer screen, muttering to myself because the story doesn’t flow yet. But I keep at it, just keep plugging away, and eventually, it all comes together—or it has every time so far.
I’ve written a hundred and thirty-five romances in my career and I’m proud of every one of them. That’s what I tell myself when I want to tear my hair out in frustration over a scene that isn’t working, dialogue that falls flat or a character who just feels dead on the page.
Yesterday, though, things started to look up. I was reading along and I wasn’t scowling. In fact, I was starting to think that maybe this manuscript would turn out all right, after all. And then I found myself laughing at something the hero said. And then the heroine did something that brought tears to my eyes. I knew then that this one was going to work out just fine. As always, it’s coming together, day by day. And word by word.
But wish me luck, anyway. I appreciate all the encouragement I can get.
I hope your Thanksgiving is a great one filled with love, family, great food and lots of laughter. And be sure you make time to curl up with a good book or two. Until December…
Happy reading, everyone,
Posted by Christine on Wednesday, October 16, 2024