Hey! I learned Something

Sometimes a project just needs to sit. The problem is that you're likely not going to know that at the time.

A few months ago, I sent my "finished" manuscript to the publisher. And they sent it back. The acquisitions editor had a few suggestions that would make it better. At the time, I was disappointed. I thought it was done. I'd been over the manuscript several times, and even though it was shorter than my first book, I couldn't find things to add or where to add them where they wouldn't sound forced or trite.

Life happens, and though I worked on improving the story initially, I admit I haven't done much with it in the last weeks. School let out, for one. That about stops all my writing in its tracks. But that doesn't mean the project has been far from my thoughts, and the suggestions I got from the editor have been lurking there as well. A week or so ago I even opened up the Word file and realized I'd left out an important plot point. Sigh.

Late Saturday night I had the epiphany I didn't even know I'd been waiting for. Suddenly, the sub-plots I needed and the characterization that would flesh out the story just hit me. Mind you--I don't take credit for any of that. I know where my inspiration comes, and the fact that it was the evening I was preparing for church the next day is no coincidence.

Now, I'm really looking forward to working on the story. I know what it needs to make it better, and I know what I'm going to do. That's the greatest feeling.