For me, the first writing of chapter one is always an excruciating process. I have so many ideas jumping around in my head that it takes FOREVER to get some of the words out and, no matter how hard I work on it, I feel a little bummed knowing that I’m just going to rewrite it later.

That’s why I’ve taken to the “intentionally write badly” school of thought. I’m a To-Do List kind of a girl. If I write badly, I can get out all my ideas and then organize and rewrite them later.

Usually that means the 90% of the chapter is rewritten, but whatever. It’s better than sitting in a chair for hours on end and only having 100 words to show for it.

I’m at home today, working on the new book. Things are going okay (kinda). I took some time out to do Wii Fit; hopefully all my nervous energy is out now and I can be a little more productive.

I’m still working on finishing the final touches of my novel, THE FOURTH CHANNEL, as well as working on a query letter to send. I can’t believe how fast it’s coming together, and soon it will come to an end.

Last night, Tom and I had a chance to sit down and talk about my next writing project. This will be more of a throwback to Tolkein/Forgotten Realms. It takes place in an alternative world with wars and elves and dwarves and evil gods and destinies(!) — but it will have my spin on it. This morning I typed out the first few sentences, which means that the new project really has begun.

He wasn’t in shackles, but he wasn’t free. They led him out between four guards, through hastily erected huts of chopped timber and dirty canvas. The camp hadn’t stood longer than a few weeks but had already outlived its use; everything leaned as if it might collapse at any moment.

Earlier this year, I talked about my hope that everyone is challenging themselves to do something new — if there’s something on your “bucket list” or if there’s something in your heart that you’ve always wanted to do, I hope everyone is working on accomplishing at least one thing this year. Finishing this novel is the most amazing feeling. I’ll always remember that moment of finishing it — Tom was yelling at me to come eat dinner, and I just wanted to get those last few sentences out! I brought the laptop with me and I just couldn’t pull myself away until it was done. And the feeling that I had right after, just knowing that I had accomplished it… Indescribable joy, immeasurable personal satisfaction. I often hear people on TV say that they need to become rich and famous and have a bunch of fans in order to feel that their art is justified –

That’s crap. I know that firsthand now. Even if the book isn’t published, I’ll still feel great for writing it.

What are your aspirations? Are you working on them? Do it, I say! You’re more than a 9-5 crone working in a maze of cubicles. It’s time to show it.

EDIT: Okay, Tom wasn’t really “yelling” at me to come to dinner… It was more like nagging.

My book is pretty much done. And this time, I mean it. There’s very little that I have left to do (write the prologue and finish the edits) so I am writing a query letter to submit to literary agents.

I’m so nervous that I’m shaking.

To reach out to an agent, I have to submit an email/letter that encapsulates the writing style and story — oh, and it can only be a single page with no attachments. If I can’t pique anyone’s interest in this very short letter, agents won’t ask to read any of the actual story. So, as you can imagine, there’s a lot riding on this query letter.

I won’t be submitting the letter until the book is completely finished, but it’s so close… I really don’t expect an overwhelming response from agents. After all, this is my first book and I am an unpublished author with no credentials. I think the book is an entertaining read with interesting, engaging characters, lots of sarcasm and fresh elements for the science fiction market, but I don’t know if that will be enough.

I’ll let you know when I finally do send out the letter; right now I’m just tinkering around with what ideas will go into it, and will send it out when the book is 100% finished.