Drum roll, please…
I finished rewriting my novel on August 15, 2017!
Again. If you’re a long-time reader of this blog or have looked at the New Book Updates in the archive, you may recall that I finished a significant rewrite in October 2015, one year and 10 months after I pulled my novel off the shelf (where it had sat for a couple years while I brought Around the Writer’s Block into the world) and started revising on January 2, 2014.
As I observed in the October 2015 post, a writing project is never really finished. I knew I had several rounds of edits before I sent the revised manuscript to my second group of beta readers and would have more changes after they responded.
Now, another year and 10 months later, I’ve done all I can see to do. I could tinker forever, but it is time to call it “Done.” Until I get change requests from an agent or editor.
“I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends”
I couldn’t have gotten here alone. I was encouraged and inspired by so many people, most notably from a sterling squad of beta readers: Carla, Jean, J.J., John, Laura S., Laura U., Linda, Lisa, Michael and Sue.
Thank you to every one of my coaching clients, students, readers and colleagues who cheered me on.
And deepest, widest thanks to my best, most influential and supportive audience, my beloved wife Claudia. It takes a special combination of love and courage to listen to an entire novel read aloud to you – twice – and know when to say “This is a really good book,” when to say “I think you need more of this, less of that,” and when to flat out say about the final chapters, “That character still annoys me too much, I need to know why she’s doing that.”
I know of no other way to see and hear your own writing so deeply and clearly than reading it out loud to an appreciative audience.
Now, I get to celebrate with friends and family, relish this milestone and reward myself.
There are next steps, of course, there always are. But they’ll have to wait for at least a week while I savor this: I just finished a major revision of my novel!
Thanks for being one of my witnesses and supporters.
Bane of Your Resistance 
Rosanne: Wow! Congratulations! Enjoy the ride.
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Congratulations! Yes, savor the completion accomplishment! In a while, all the best with next steps.
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Thanks, Mary!
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Congratulation Rosemary!
You put me to shame. I should be where you are, yet my 1st draft sits getting dusty.
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Oh Glynis, shame is the last place I want to put you! My novel gathered dust on the shelf for years. It’s been so long since I started, it’s an entirely new book. Please let my ability to pull a dusty manuscript off the shelf and work it into a manuscript I’m proud of and ready to send into the world INSPIRE you to do the same.
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Congrats!
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Thanks Jeff! I’m eager to say the same to you soon (soon being a relative term when it comes to writing a novel). Please keep me posted about your progress.
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Congrats Rosanne – you are an inspiration to us all! Thank you for sharing the good news, Mary K Crawford (former student)
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Thanks, Mary Kay! Please keep me posted on your writing milestones.
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CONGRATULATIONS!!! Delighted for you, Rosanne!
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Thank you Anonymous! I’ve always been impressed with your wisdom and prolific inspirations.
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Bravo, Rosanne! You certainly do walk your talk!
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Thanks, Debra! You walk your talk too. And the length and breadth of the State Fair. And we both walk our dogs!
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Hooray!!
Sent from my iPhone
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Thank you Ellen!
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You rock, Rosanne! Congratulations.
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Thanks, Cindyjean!
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