When I sat down to do the first read-through of Lord Regret’s Price, I was braced for disappointment.  As long as it took me to grind through the draft, I was sure I had repetition and inconsistencies to correct.  I couldn’t remember some of the plot elements I’d done in the middle, so I was afraid I’d dropped the threads entirely.  I was sure I had some shaky characterizations too, along with numerous [notes] to go back and figure out.

And I did have some of all of those situations, yes.

But it wasn’t as bad as I feared.

In fact… I’ve already made the first full revision pass and corrected all the issues.

Surprised?  Yeah, I was too.  I’m pretty happy with it, even after all the blood, sweat, and tears it took to finish that draft.  I kept everything, except for about 700 words I cut out and replaced with other stuff.

Sure I had to shore up some slips.  Go back and drop some hints.  Delete other hints that I’d dropped a little too heavily.  But overall, it was a pretty solid draft.

WHEW!!!

So now, the call goes out for beta readers.  If anyone has the time and inclination to do a beta read for me before I submit to my editor, drop me a note (joelysueburkhart AT gmail DOT com).  I’m looking for general impressions (I was confused here, or this didn’t make sense, or wow, I really liked this and wished it been more/bigger), although if you catch me in a typo I’m grateful.  I’ll include everyone’s names in the acknowledgements and provide a complete final copy assuming it’s accepted for publication.

Then it’ll be synopsis, final pass, and Sig will be off to my editor!

Meanwhile, I’m shifting gears to the other novella I’m hoping to finish by 3/15.

Finally, finally, finally, the first draft has been achieved!  He was a smug, reticent bastard for 99% of the book.  I had to beat him within an inch of his life.  Not once but several times.  I had to warp some more British history to figure out his House.  I also had to ruin–I mean, blur–some Chinese Imperial dynasties.

There were many times when I wanted to do anything, I mean ANYTHING, but work on his book.  Clean toilets.  Sort rocks.  Do my taxes.  Yeah, I was desperate.  But little by little, I kept chiseling.

It still needs work.  A lot of work.

But the first draft is DONE.  And there’s very little else that feels as good as working so damned hard and finally achieving the goal.

Stock photo by Ferelwing

ETA:  74,000 words!

After the big day last Thursday, I had hopes that I’d finish the book this weekend, but we were busy as always with basketball (the last weekend for games!!) and family stuff.  However, I’ve chipped and chipped away, gradually finishing the fourth to last scene.  I’m about midway through the next big scene.

But it’s BIG.  This is the showdown with Majel, the climax where everything hits the fan at the same time.  It’s going to take a couple of smaller scenes between various POVs to get the whole thing done.  I’m still playing a few things by ear, letting them unfold slowly as I work.  There are still surprises popping up that I didn’t expect.

Despite very little sleep all weekend, I made it D&E this morning to break 66K.  I WILL finish the first draft this week.  But it’ll need another week or two of revisions before I’ll be willing to send it onward.

Now hoping I don’t get the wicked cold that’s keeping Littlest Monster home from school today…

I’m finally deep enough into Act 3 that I know exactly how many major scenes are left.  Only four.

FOUR.

FOUR!

I’ve had a big day already, but I’m hoping I can keep pushing now that the end is close enough to smell.  These are major suspensful action scenes, plus one huge emotional love scene as the resolution, so they won’t be easy.  I honestly don’t believe I’ll finish tonight.  Or even tomorrow.  But I’m close.  Finally.

Is it just me, or do I hear angels singing?

We’re having leftovers tonight for dinner, giving me a little more time to keep pushing those words.  I’ve had a ton of coffee already today, so I made myself a luscious hot chocolate with a little coconut milk, one square of Dove dark, a little sugar, and a shot of my strongest espresso.

Loading up scene one of four…

I’m still writing Dark & Early 4 days a week and getting at least 1K in most days.  I’m on the verge of the climax but not quite there yet.  I’ve got Sig’s dreadful past figured out.  I know who contracted him.  I know what the Empress has planned.  I even know that Majel is closer than any of them suspect.

Yet I’m still not done.

And the book is just shy of 60K.  Yep, that’s twice as long as Lady Doctor Wyre.

There’s just so much more to investigate and explore this time around.  I’ve got Sig’s issues to deal with.  Lady Wyre’s learning more about the side effects of her invention.  Majel’s desperate enough that she might even consider letting her old enemy live if only so she can help her stop what’s happening.  Then there’s the worldbuilding necessary for Zijin.  I’m so glad that I’d already done quite a bit of research for Golden (although that was based more on the Tang Dynasty), so I had a good idea of the flavor and elements I wanted to build on.

I’m getting there, but deep down, I fear this book may never end.  I keep hoping that one day I’ll sit down and spew out 3-5K and finish the damned thing, but it hasn’t happened yet.

And I still have to get through edits before it’s fit for my editor’s eyes.

So the last few days of February are winding down and it’s all Sig, all the time.  I’m going to have to shelve the other novella I was hoping to finish by the 3/1 deadline because I don’t even have the first draft finished yet.

Sig is more important.  I *have* to finish.

After weeks of faking it, I might have finally “made” it this week.  *crossing fingers, throws salt over shoulder, makes sacrifices to all writing deities*

I didn’t get much done over the weekend between basketball, a trip to my Dad’s, and laundry.  I could have written some Sunday afternoon but I was feeling lazy and sleepy, so I just played Garden Rescue instead.  (P.S. one of the best purchases I’ve ever made – in sheer game time I’ve played this one for hours and hours.  Well worth the money!  Same goes for the Christmas Edition.  I’m obsessed with completing all levels with three stars at each difficulty!)

I might not have made a bunch of words, but the most important thing I did Sunday night was jot a few lines to start the next section so I didn’t have to think about what I was going to do Monday morning.  It’s a candy bar scene with Majel – one I’ve been waiting for a looooong time.  I knew it was going to be fun.  950 words yesterday morning, and then I got a little more last night to get over 1K.

This morning, I got up at my usual 5 AM but the puppy wanted to go out early too.  That put me 10 mins late getting into my office and then I had her getting into the trash, jumping up on me, shredding napkins, etc.  Generally making a nuisance of herself like only puppies can do while looking too adorable to actually scold harshly.  I only had about 350 words and I was NOT happy.

I was still in that candy bar scene but I wasn’t sure how I was going to end it.  I wasn’t sure how it was going to flow into the next scene I’d started but then decided I needed to move Majel’s scene up.  Then I had that interruption with the dog and I was mad.  Really mad.

But something clicked over lunch and boom.  I mean BOOM.  Sig’s life went to hell in a handbasket in a hurry.  I suddenly have a ticking bomb for the last Act of the book.  I know exactly what I need to do and how I’m going to get there.  I’ll need to go back and drop a few little threads for an upcoming event and maybe do a little bit of research, but that can wait until after I finish.

Yes, the end is in sight.  I knew if I could just get over that hump and get into the final showdown, things would pick up.  I’m about 95% sure I’m there.  Hold on for a wild and crazy ride to the end!

P.S. Although I did just get 2nd round edits on Her Grace’s Stable last night.  Isn’t that always how it works?  I’m hoping to turn them around quickly too.