Done, Finally

Hello Everyone. A long hiatus from this page, but the last few months of writing have been arduous to say the least. As I predicted, being close was only an illusion and the mythical goal line taunted my wits, my sanity at times, but enough whining, hard work is good for the soul. I made it. Last Monday I completed the final chapter and have since gone through a complete edit of the book. Editing tests patience and worth. I began questioning every word, every sentence, and almost convinced myself on several occasion to trash the whole thing, because I could no longer stand my own writing, but I got through it. It was only a self edit, but a clean version of what I wanted to put out there.

The book ended with 29 chapters and took a few twists and turns that I never mapped out beforehand, but turned out to be quite a pleasure to navigate through. My working title has also changed from Ashes on the Pacific to Stumbling Upon Mogli. The new title derived from a line in the story that summed up the book for me. The old title was more of a generic line with pleasing aesthetics, but I feel the new title does a better job of describing the main characters journey while leaving more intrigue to the imagination.

Now the next hill to climb, publication. Where to go? I know in this day and age most publishing companies will not even talk to you unless you have a literary agent. The independent route sounds enticing, but I would like to test the waters first and see how many doors get slammed in my face. If anyone has any ideas or contacts I would appreciate your thoughts and assistance more than you know. I am new to this and feel lost in uncharted territory.

The journey was long, but worth every second. I did not follow a particular pattern or strict regimen and let words flow as they came. A chapter in the beginning here, a piece of a chapter near the end there, a random thought in the middle at any time. It was fun to write that way, but also took a bit of time to put all of the scattered pieces together. I did however write the final chapter last. I finished the last word, saved it, printed it out, read it again, saved it on a flash drive, read it again, and almost broke down into uncontrollable sobs. Such a rush of pure elation and accomplishment ran through my veins that it made every moment of staring at a computer screen or leaning over pen and paper worth while. No matter if two people read it, or two million, I finished a large task that I set out to do and no one can ever take that away from me. I have already won, what happens from here on out is all gravy. I dreamed to know this feeling, this completion of what at times felt impossible, and for that I give thanks. The journey has meant everything, I cannot wait to see where it leads next.