Good things come to those who wait

I'm very, very happy to say that, after two freaking years of writing this book, I have finally, finally, figured out what I am actually supposed to be doing with my main character. *big sigh of relief*

It's possible I've posted something similar to this before but this time I mean it. Like, fer realz. I have learned a million things while writing this book but the biggest and most valuable--and hardest--is how to really revise a book. I definitely didn't get that with my first book. I couldn't shake this sense of permanence once I'd laid the words down on the page and the idea of unraveling them and weaving them back together in a new, albeit better, way was out of reach for me at that time.

This is not to say that I'm perfect at revisions now and I have nothing more to learn. Oh-ho-ho no. I still feel like a kindergartner when I sit down at my keyboard, most days. But at least now I understand what it takes to really improve a book and how much potential is still lying in wait after the first blush of the rough draft--even if that first draft is really good.

One of the final things I've really been struggling with is Megan's character arc. I knew it hadn't reached its full potential and I even knew where I needed to take her in order for her and the story to really come full circle and pack more of a literary punch. I just couldn't figure out how to make that happen, not without adding, like, 20,000 more words into a story that was already bumping up against the upper limits of word count guidelines.

Today, I did. The hilarious thing? It's not even hard! It doesn't even require many words! *jumps up and down* I am so freaking happy an relieved. You know how you sometimes get that sense of rightness when you're writing? Where you can feel a piece of your story slide into place and you can almost hear an audible click? Yeah. That. :D

By the time I start querying this sucker, it will have taken me about two years to write and revise it. It feels like an eternity. I've almost given up three times now, no joke. But I honestly wouldn't change a thing about my journey with this story. I've learned so much and, sometimes, I really think you just need some time to sort things out.