- Photo by John Petalcurin on Unsplash
The End. Really? You finished your manuscript? Yep! I did. I finished my final edits for my women’s fiction, Just About Perfect. Only took three and one-half years since the day I had this wild hair of an idea, I should write a novel. Had I any idea how much I needed to learn or the focus and time it would take, would I have started? Well . . . that’s probably why the LORD doesn’t let us see into the future. Ya think?
The next step – Four beta readers are now reading the entire book and hopefully finding typos, anything that doesn’t make sense, any section that slows down, and who knows what else? They will share their suggestions and I will make a few more edits. Next, I’ll send proposals to agents and editors who have given me permission to send my work when finished.
Presently, I am considering the BIG QUESTION – What shall I write next? I’m kicking around ideas for a novella that I can give as a gift to those who get this newsletter, thinking about the next book in the series, and considering some shorter projects, like online magazine articles. I learned I really enjoy editing, so I may take a course that would qualify me to offer edits for other writers.
There’s no way to express how much I appreciate all the encouraging words friends, acquaintances, and family have given as I make this journey. You are THE BEST. I am immensely grateful to you and for you.
Family Update: Our granddaughter in Australia, Baby Caroline, weighs over five and one-half pounds and should go home late this week, nine weeks after birth, if all continues to progress. Thinking about her in her own sweet room surrounded by her little family brings a smile to my face. I miss my Australia family, but we FaceTime often, and that helps. Plus it helps to know I am going back November 7. Thanks to all of you who prayed for this two pound, three ounce baby girl. Prayers make a world of difference.
Maybe by next month’s newsletter I’ll have more news about my book to report. Josh, one of my characters tells his mother, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.” Let’s run the marathon set before us.
Leave a comment below. I love to hear from you. Have a wonderful August.
Cele LeBlanc
Cele LeBlanc 
I’m sure you can picture me as I proclaim, “OH MY GOODNESS!” I am thrilled for you to have reached this ending. I remember so well your telling me about wanting to write a book and what you thought the story line would be. It was a joy to stay up with you through these 3 years as you and the story continued to grow. I can hardly wait to meet Josh and all the others who I’m sure will become my new friends. Know Dick and I rejoice with you!
Thank you so much for your encouragement along the way. Love & Miss YOU BOTH!
Congrats, Cele! That’s a big accomplishment and a testament to your persistence. You have to be a postage stamp and stick to it until you reach your destination. Best wishes on the upcoming publication process.
Thanks for the encouragement!