Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Hallelujah!!!!!!

April 2nd. My birthday, and do you want to know what my best present was?
It was waking up this morning with the knowledge that there was a completed manuscript in my computer downstairs.
Oh yes. Sweet, sweet victory.

Well, truthfully, I am very pleased to have the first draft under my belt, but I am keenly aware of how far I have yet to go. But, still, finishing this draft gives me a huge boost of confidence. I CAN do it. I CAN write a novel. And now that I have written the end, the changes I need to make in plot and structure are much clearer. I can see my basic themes. It's comforting to know exactly where I am going now. Completion of subsequent drafts will only take as long as it takes me to type the words. So, I'm pumped.

I'll keep up with how the allegedly dreaded editing process goes. I should be able to post more often, now that I am not pressed up against a deadline. Although, come to think of it, since I am going to become a famous author, maybe I should get used to working against a deadline. *grin*

7 comments:

Kiersten White said...

Congratulations! Finishing that first draft of that first book is a huge, HUGE accomplishment!

Renee Collins said...

Thanks. I'm still on a high from it all.
But, I think it's finally time to come back down and get back to work.

Kiersten White said...

What years did you go to BYU? And how did you know that I did? (Just wondering if I mentioned it, or if you picked up on it because of my pub in Leading Edge; not thinking you are a stalker or anything--I'm not interesting enough to merit one of those ;) ) Funny how things connect!

Renee Collins said...

It was kind of a stretched out process, but I graduated BYU in 2006.
Oh and, based on your story in the BYU mad, I put "BYU connection," meaning, at least, a loose one (I went to BYU, you published a story there,)but I had a hunch that you might have gone, or that you live in Utah.

Renee Collins said...

oops. I meant BYU mag, not mad. :)

R. Brady Frost said...

Awesome Renee! I was hoping you were making good progress!!! I'm so proud of you!

Kiersten White said...

Ah, clever you! I graduated in 2004, but now live in California. How are the edits coming, or are you still just basking in the glow of a completed manuscript?