There’s nothing quite like the happiness that comes from finishing a first draft. In this case, a book due out this Christmas. Although it’s usually a short lived happiness because the feedback hasn’t come in yet, and the rewrites and the edits haven’t begun, and I’m not yet asking myself: “Why did I ever think this was a good idea?” The euphoria before the reality of all the work that is yet to come is worth noting, and I’m feeling it now. Though I have to confess it’s a very tired euphoria.
First draft is happy because it’s now officially something to work with. It’s something to get you to round two. The first draft tells you that you can still meet a deadline. AND It’s something to sleep on. So, with that said, I’m off to bed.
An early flight in the morning carries me to New York to see a production of THE ARK this weekend at a small theatre out on Long Island. Hope the weather allows me to get there safely. It’s interesting, don’t you think, that it’s been raining for days on this theatre that’s representing Noah’s Ark, offering refuge to an audience that will be the animals. Could it be there are forces we know not of giving context and unbuyable production values to the arts in Long Island? Stay tuned.
4 Comments
Michael – Now that the rain has turned to snow & your flight has been canceled, please let me publicly state how incredibly grateful I am that you even attempted to make the trip. I’m so disappointed that my cast will not have you cheering them on in person (I know you’ll be doing it from Utah!), and you won’t be able to see first hand what we have spent the past 8 weeks creating. The 2 year old in me is stamping her foot & yelling, “NOT FAIR!!!” but my adult side is understanding that it’s better for you and my son, who can’t get here either, to remain safely where you are, and for me to acknowledge that there are many people on this earth with far bigger problems. So I am looking for my happiness moment – it’s in there somewhere.
We ADORE this show & have loved every minute of our journey with it. Without even being here, you’ve acquired a lot of new fans on Long Island. I’m glad I was able to take part in that.
Sorry you couldn’t make it to Long Island, but I hope Nancy has that “happy” moment in presenting it that I had watching The Ark in a tiny theater in Issaquah, WA years ago — the joy of sharing happiness and hope with others!
Thank you for this website, and for the reminders of the many different tender mercies the Lord sends!
We’ll be looking forward to your new book.
The best part is reading it and realizing you don’t hate it. The next best part is having your editor read it and realize that SHE doesn’t hate it. I actually enjoy the re-writing part.