Novel Update #5: Ready

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It's always satisfying when I punch through and finish a draft. But I have to say, there's nothing quite like finishing the draft where I get to say, "I'd let an agent read this."

I've only ever gotten to say that once before. Today, I get to say it again.

I have an agent-ready draft. Is it perfect? No. Of course not. But it's ready.

I know it is, because the thought of an industry professional reading it in its current state doesn't send me into physical tremors of terror. Instead, I feel comfortable. Excited, even. I think agents and editors would enjoy this draft.

Hopefully one of them will enjoy it enough to represent it.

How did I get here? 15 months ago, I hadn't even conceived of this story. But the concept captured me so much last June, I couldn't rest until the story was told. And not just told, but properly told. I would get up early before work every day, stay up after dinner, sit indoors every weekend... I poured countless hours into this novel over the past year, revising draft after draft after draft. My writer's group says I'm a machine, but the truth is, I just don't know how to tackle a writing project any other way. I have to throw myself into it to the point it consumes my life.

The last thing I did for this novel was read it through from start to finish in one sitting, to make sure the pacing truly felt right. There isn't any magic formula for pacing (which I'm pretty sure would really irritate my main character). Pacing is a feeling. And with just a few small edits during that read-through today, I can now say that I'm satisfied with how it feels.

And so, here I am. I've got a polished draft of what I believe to be a pretty kickass futuristic sci-fi thriller, and now I need to find an agent for it.

I think I will. Maybe that sounds overly optimistic, but that's what the "finished draft" high does to me.

Querying, here I come.