I’m In The Homestretch Before Publishing A Novel

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I did it! This morning, I finished revising my second novel, Once Upon An Anxious Mom. I’ve officially entered the homestretch for publication!

Here’s my plan:

  • I’m on Official Writing Break for three and a half weeks.
  • After my break, I’ll reread my editor’s memo and see if I missed any big revisions she suggested. (I don’t think I did, but I might understand something better when my brain is fresh.)
  • I’ll format the text messages and emails in the novel.
  • Then I’ll read the book out loud, slowly, and proofread as I go.
  • If I like what I read, I’ll upload to Vellum and format for publication.
  • Then I’ll upload my files to Amazon and order an author’s copy of the paperback. I’ll read my novel in book form and seek out any proofreading buggers I missed.
  • And that’s it! I’ll publish!

It feels so good to be on writing break after pouring myself into revisions. So what am I going to do for the next three and a half weeks?

Obviously, I won’t write. That part of my brain needs to rest and recharge. I will, however, write in my journal because that is more of a mental health practice than a writing exercise (and if I stopped journaling for three+ weeks, I’d go bat shit). I will probably also blog, because that organizes my thoughts and helps me relax. Like journaling, blogging uses a different part of my brain than “the serious pretentious business of novel writing.” (I’m making fun of myself there, if that’s not abundantly clear. I honestly don’t know if my self-deprecating humor is coming through because my brain is tired!)

I’ll let my brain rest and recharge by doing things that don’t use my Novel Writing Brain Cells. These are my schemes and ambitions:

  • Declutter, Deep Clean the House and Garden. If I only do one thing during the next three+ weeks, let it be this. Spoiler alert: if I blog, it will be about my work to reclaim the house.
  • Enjoy Time With Family and Friends. It’s October! Halloween is coming, and Julian’s birthday is November 2. Tomorrow, I’m taking the kids to Universal Studios. On November 2, we are surprising the kids with a trip to California Adventure. Then we have the school carnival, Girl Scout pumpkin patch, trick-or-treating, etc. etc. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE FUN DAMNIT!
  • Prep For The Holidays and Julian’s Birthday Party. Order party supplies and decorations. Get birthday and Christmas gifts. Maybe design a Christmas card? I’ll make a Holiday Plan Of Attack next week and see what I can get done early so I can soak up the holidays with my family and friends.
  • Record A Few Podcast Episodes. If the spirit moves me.
  • Get yarn and start crocheting Christmas stockings for the kids.
  • Learn how to use Midjourney. Work on designing the cover for Once Upon An Anxious Mom. See if AI helps.
  • Bake. Bread. Cookies. Cake. Repeat.
  • Paint. Maybe something abstract in a sketch book. Or maybe the kitchen chairs. This isn’t a priority. Decluttering and deep cleaning is.

If I finish decluttering and deep cleaning, I will take myself on an artist date or two. See a movie. But if that doesn’t happen, I’ll save those activities for the next writing break.