One Down; One to Go

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal

Got my edits done for The Blessed. Just sent it off to the editor and got back one of those instant “out of the office” replies. But I got it sent in and that’s the big thing for me with everything else going on with my mom. I told my editor I did some of the edits in the middle of the night with a foggy brain so who knows whether I improved the wording or totally messed it up. I guess my editor will know and then I’ll know shortly thereafter if she sends it back with some big question marks. No, I think I got the changes made. The thing about editing is that you can always see something else to improve. Always. Lacey’s story in The Blessed is a lot different from my other Shaker books, but I’m hoping readers will take to Lacey when the book comes out next summer. I certainly did. She’s a no nonsense girl who does what she has to do to keep going.

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Now I get to start on my copy editing of the galleys for Angel Sister. Out of the frying pan into the fire. I haven’t even read the comments of the copy editor to see what needs doing. I didn’t want to have it worrying me while I was finishing up the other edits. One book at a time.

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It’s exciting having two books released in one year. A lot of authors of inspirational fiction release even more than two books a year. I admire their work ethic because writing books takes time. Editing books takes times. Coming up with new ideas takes time. Trying to publicize books takes time. But then everything takes times. The seconds keep ticking by no matter what you’re doing or not doing. Watching the hummingbird work through the blooms on the million bell flower on my window sill takes time. Sharing my journal thoughts with you takes time. Hummingbird watching and journaling – that’s time well spent.
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And that’s the thing with time. We want to spend it well. Do what has to be done, for sure, but also use some spare minutes just being glad for our blessings and glad we are breathing and thankful we’re so busy that we feel rushed. I love writing. I love editing to make that writing better. I love hearing from readers and getting to know you. I even like reading reviews – sometimes. The Seeker’s blog tour has been interesting. I’ve been able to respond to some of the bloggers, but due to my nights at Mom’s with no internet, I’m running behind on messages and such. I do thank all the bloggers who read my book and wrote their opinions. Most have been good. Some have been great. A few have been… well, we won’t talk about them. Accentuate the positive. Right?
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Hope much positive is happening in your life and that you aren’t sweltering in the heat wave. It’s a bit cooler here today, but yesterday when I got in the car to leave my mother’s, the temperature flashed 100 degrees. Definitely the dog days of autumn. My poor dogs don’t want to step out of the shade when we go for a walk even at almost sundown. So stay cool. Drink some sweet iced tea or how about an icy grape sno cone and read a good book.