I started my developmental edit

So I finished a first draft, and actually kind of surprised myself with the ending. I wrote past it for a few days before going back and realizing that I’d concluded the story. As much as I loved the characters, their time on page was finished.

This week, I’ve successfully marked up my first draft with the broad strokes of the developmental edit. I’m trying to finish that up tomorrow by re-arranging it in my drafting tool, checking that I hit all the appropriate story beats, putting everything in order.

Next week, Draft 2 begins. It will be the first time I’ve begun a second draft with any level of confidence or any sort of plan. While I’m working on Draft 2, I’ll be making and beginning to execute my marketing plan for this book. Admittedly, I’m still nervous about that part. I really want to make this book successful.

Success = people who will love it are able to find it, purchase it, and read it.

This means that I will have to do some level of marketing/showing up on social media, and I really don’t love that from a personal standpoint.

But I will cross that hurdle. Today, I’m celebrating my successful draft and first edit. Here’s to draft 2!