I'm finally done with my story. Just turned it in. I think it took 6-7 rewrites, but the last 2-3 were mostly additions and minor fixes. It was the 5th version that was the big improvement. Oh I don’t know, it’s all a blur now. But the good part is that I’m finally happy with it.
Since the Wild Writing Women has disbanded, and I’ve been on the road, I’ve been without a proper writing group for ages. Huge thanks to Jim Benning, Rolf Potts, Scott M. Gimple, and Barb Shaw for being my Editors-at-Large. They had the best feedback and spent the most time on it. Jim and Rolf probably even spent more time on it than TT. I also appreciate the early reads from my homies Dan Buczaczer and Lisa.
This might’ve been the most I’ve ever worked on a story. So, take that with you and put it in your pocket. If something is important to you, don’t give up. I wasn’t happy with this story for several weeks. Larry even suggested replacing it on the Table of Contents not too long ago. But it can stand up on it’s own now. And that feels pretty good.
Congratulations on finishing, Jen! I know – it’s hard without a group. My recent group disbanded a few months ago, and I’m right in the middle of the book project. Just to show you how out of the loop I am since I’ve had my nose in my current project, I missed the news about the Wild Writing Women disbanding. If you’re back in town, let’s get together for a drink or something…or if you need a retreat weekend in Half Moon Bay, you know who to call on.
Jill, sounds perfect. Drinks and critiques. Damn that’d be a good name for a bar.
I’m here through mid August. Free most weekends. I’ll email you next week.
Good work, Jen. Glad you stuck to it and wrung out all the good to be had til it sparkled like the dew.
Barb
Congrats, Jen! Glad I could help!