Tuesday, August 30, 2005

IT'S DONE!!!!!

The first draft is done! Let's celebrate! Everyone, get a 40 and join me in a toast! But make it Michelob Ultra to cut carbs. And don't forget to pour some out on the curb in a moment of silence for the characters that didn't make it. They were beautiful people. Just caught up in the wrong story at the wrong time.

Ah, a major milestone has been reached, but it's not over. Today, I'm going to go over all the character sketches and revise. A lot of them have just gotten out of hand. They created their own personalities. Then, tomorrow, I'll refer to these character sketches as I take two chapters a day and revise. I expect to be done about September 10th. Maybe a day or 2 for last minute additions/changes, then it's off to the editor by the September 14th deadline! Yea!




I try to stick to the topic of writing on my blog, but some things you can't bypass. Even though I don't have relatives in the areas where Katrina hit hard, my heart goes out to all. I do know of another author and his family in New Orleans that safely made it to Houston and are still there now. I'm watching the reports on TV and it's truly devastating and many will not have homes to go back to. I know you are already, but please, continue to join me in a prayer for lives in that area.

10 comments:

quincee Tue Aug 30, 09:29:00 AM EDT  

Congratualtions on finishing your draft. September 10th! Wow, you work fast. I've enjoyed reading about your progress. I can't wait to see how the book turns out. ~Q

Cherlyn Michaels Tue Aug 30, 09:52:00 AM EDT  

Q,
Thanks!
And um, it's not so much that I'm fast, it's that I'm under a second deadline. LOL This means I'm still going to be in seclusion until then, doing nothing but writing ALL DAY. Writing time-wise, it actually about the same as the first book. I finished it in 6 months, with 3 months of not writing at all. And in those 3 months, I wrote 2 hours for 3 - 4 weekdays, then maybe 4 - 8 hours Saturday and Sunday. The difference between then and now is having a life. :-)

The Humanity Critic Tue Aug 30, 12:13:00 PM EDT  

Congrats! Take a bow!

LadyLee Tue Aug 30, 03:01:00 PM EDT  

As Martin would say..."You Go Girl"!! You did the darn thing!!But seriously, Congratulations! I've enjoyed pouring through past and present posts in your blog on your writing progress. It amazes me how fast you write. I only aspire to do as much. It is truly an inspiration. It's been like fried chicken for the soul (LOL)!

And, I don't drink. No 40s for me. However, I took a little water and poured it on the floor of my lab for ya! (LOL;)

Now get to work on the next book!!!

Ladylee

The Foxybrown Show Wed Aug 31, 07:49:00 AM EDT  

Not a 40!
Can I drink my beer out of a wine glass?

I can't? WHY NOT?

You know what today is let's go!

WHY am I proud of you for knocking it out!

your turn.....

Cherlyn Michaels Wed Aug 31, 09:04:00 AM EDT  

Thanks Humanity Critic!

Ladylee,
Okay, LOL. You got me rolling with the water on the lab floor. Just make sure you mop that up. :-)

FoxyBrown,
Okay, okay. A wine glass. But just for you. Don't go telling your friends. You'll ruin the party with that uppity crap! LOL
(just teasing)
THANKS!

Anonymous Wed Aug 31, 12:40:00 PM EDT  

I knew you were special. Michelob Ultra is THE only beer I will drink. I am low-carbing too! rotf. Very deserving, I will definitely toast to that. I know you are elated even though more work has to be done. Way to go!

Leah Mullen Thu Sep 01, 08:15:00 PM EDT  

Cheryln, you must be very excited, I'm happy for you!!--Leah p.s. how long did it take you from start to finish?

Cherlyn Michaels Thu Sep 01, 08:36:00 PM EDT  

Court,
LOL Thanks for celebrating with me!


Leah,
I actually gotta think about that. I wrote a few chapters before Februrary, but changed most of it after I submitted an outline to my publisher. Then, I worked very little on it because of other stuff I had going on, then there was the accident, doctor's visits, etc. Didn't start really writing on it again until July. So, through all of that I would estimate 2 - 3 months for the first draft. I'm revising now, so in all, it should be 3 - 3.5 months. That's roughly the same amount of writing time I did on Counting Raindrops.

Cherlyn Michaels Wed Sep 07, 05:48:00 PM EDT  

Hello Toi,
Thanks for stopping by my website and my blog. Glad to hear that you enjoyed the excerpt. There are so many ways to self publish and so many factors. I would advise that you get a book on self publishing, like Dan Poynter's Self Publishing Manual. It will tell you everything you need to know and help you to choose the right path for you.
Best wishes to you in your writing and publishing endeavors.