I'm done! I'm done? Surreal . . .

I spent the Labor Day Weekend finishing the proofreading for my First Pass Pages for THE HEALING SPELL (Scholastic, July 1, 2010) and oh my, there is lots of little picky things to find and ponder and mull over and figure out how to fix without messing up other little picky things, ie, like word choices, and phrasing, or the heart-pounding "Oh, No! I found a mistake in my research!" Quick, quick - dig up my research notes. Go online! Find the answer!

I sent them back to my editor yesterday morning, fully planning on getting back to drafting THE TRAITEUR'S DAUGHTER which has been patiently waiting since July for my attention, poor thing.

Last night I got an email back with another list of questions or concerns - nothing major, but more *stuff*. My darling editor worked very late! I got up early, finished them before 8:00 this morning, and my editor loves me for being so prompt. ;-D

Gorgeous editor: You’re done with The Healing Spell! When 2nd pass pages come in, if there are any questions for you, I’ll forward them along, but I won’t need you to look at pages again for this book. So you are free!

Me: No way! I'm done??? It doesn't seem possible. Why did my stomach clench up? Why do I feel a slight sense of panic? I mean, surely there is more I can do . . . my heart is pounding.

Gorgeous Editor: Yup. I know...it's scary, but it's great. The book is beautiful--GORGEOUS--and now it's time to focus on your next one. I totally get that you feel panicky, but just breathe and know that you made a fabulous, wonderful, perfect book and now it's time to let it go.

Let it go? Just like that? For real?

The next time I see it, the manuscript will be A REAL BOOK BETWEEN COVERS.

Gulp.




If anybody needs me, this is where I'll be: Surreal Sunset