And So We Come to an End...

I finished editing the last chapter of Under a Dark Star this morning. This evening I handed off all 33 chapters to my beta-readers on CC.

The chapters will be returned by mid-August full of corrections, questions, and general Logic Hammer Moments that will need fixing. I already know some of the major issues that need to be addressed. I know UDS isn't truly Done. It isn't Polished. It isn't ready to query.

But I do have the full novel drafted and finished.

I didn't flake on the ending like I have on other books. I didn't abandon it for other shiny ideas like the plot whore I am. I didn't give into Isuckitis or Perfectionism and quite writing.

Those are all major accomplishments for me.

I'm not sure how many more drafts I need to get UDS perfect. It needs at least one major rewrite on the first 12 chapters. After that... who knows?

Last year I wanted to be agented by my birthday (August 16th in case you're wondering). This year I'm a little more realistic. Writing and editing sound easy, but once you get in the trenches... it's all blood, guts, and tears. Usually my own.

But for now... A Toast! To the end of drafts, good beta-readers with sound advice, and bright new shiny plots ahead!