I’m back in the saddle again.  After six or so weeks of rehearsals and performances it’s time to return to my novel.  So I’m turning in my acting hat for my writing chapeau once more.  I have had four people read my book.  Two have actually gone through the entire piece – one masterfully editing as she went.  All of the readers said they loved the characters and enjoyed getting to know them and be part of their lives for a while.  They encouraged me by saying they felt the characters were well developed, honest and they became connected through the reading.  They liked my descriptive style and felt as though the were actually in the place and situations which the characters encountered throughout their lives.

Almost all of them felt the beginning lacked a hook or attention getter, so I will be working on that this coming week.  It’s always good to have construction criticism.  I trust all of these four, because I know they are being honest with me and want me to succeed as much as I do.

So press on we must, for the race is not over.  I am up for the challenge and will employ many of my friends’ tidbits of advice.  At times it feels I will never be done, but I also know that perseverance pays off.  I think we need to pat ourselves on the back at times too.  Writing is a lonely process, where you pour out your inner thoughts and your desire is to entertain the reader – to grab them from the start – pull them into the story – make them anxious to turn the page – let the story unfold through the characters.  Since we don’t always have someone to guide us through, we have to depend on our own ability and just go for it.