Since my last post, I have gone through and finished a first edit run on my short story which also added at least another 1,000 words to it. Once again, I am very happy with the result. This happened after I confronted one of my greatest worries about writing – having other people read it but I was told over and over and over how important it is to have someone else read your work. Another set of eyes to look through it and help point out mistakes or issues that need to be resolved prior to submission.

I had the chance to have it read by a writing group I belong to and while it was difficult I did survive it. It was not easy at first but thankfully some kind words from my fellow writers helped get me through the session and I am so very glad I did. While the discussion moved on, I sat and thought about their suggestions and made sure to write down what they had said. Parts that needed to be clearer to readers so they can understand what was happening in the story and its characters since it seems I did not put everything in my head onto paper. In the end, I do believe that it has turned out even better then the rough draft – isn’t that the point of writing groups and edits though?

Now, I have sent it off to one more set of eyes to read through before the next edit. Making this the furthest, officially, the furthest I have gone with my writing. Only a few more steps until I submit for the first time.

Most importantly these steps need to get done prior to school starting in a few short four weeks. This coming semester will be the beginning of my last year of school (hopefully) and my plate will be incredibly full. I have already come to the conclusion that my novel rough draft will not be done by the date I had originally selected for my own personal deadline. Part of this was deciding to write the short story – the other part is that other parts of life have taken importance over writing. I know, it is insane isn’t it?! But now I am back on schedule and still have a deadline it just had to be pushed back a few months. Now back to writing!