It's Official!

This is one happy Nadja..........

Hello to everyone from A Round of Words !  I am quite pleased to say that Claiming The Prize, my first novel is finished!  Finished I say!  (I'd say it again in all capital letters if that wouldn't be just going too far.....)  Almost nine months after beginning, I look upon three notebooks full of the lives of characters I imagined and articulated into the written word.  It's damn satisfying. 

A new chapter in my world begins, as I now start preparation for publishing.  Within six weeks, I plan to deliver the work to my critique partner to begin the process of editing. I happen to have a terrific critique partner whose judgement I value highly, and her skills with the English language and eye for the well written story are an invaluable asset to this project's success.   My beta readers will be helpful as well in offering thoughts and impressions as they sink their teeth into the novel for the first time. Better finally get typing...a goal I left in the dust back at this round's genesis.....Oh the shame!  Well, not really.  If I had truly been ashamed, I would have remedied the situation long ago.  But it's all water under the bridge, so to speak,  and  I'm actually looking forward to getting it done now that it is the next hurdle in the path to publication. 

Her Dark Baron, my novella, is such a delight to write, that I want to set a goal for it's completion.  I'm thinking I'll set the deadline for six weeks from today.  That will allow me a week for each chapter's writing....(I'll be typing like a madwoman, so I don't want to over do it with the writing goals)  It's always better - for me- to set a very realistic goal that I outshine than to set a goal that I struggle to accomplish.  It's really all about enjoyment for me, and I am loathe to turn a practice I so enjoy into a monkey on my back.  So, a goal it is, but an easier one. 

Hope everyone is racing toward the finish line of goals and deadlines as we approach the end of this Round of Words. ~ Nadja