note to self: Rule #3679 for survival as a writer

Take the book seriously. Not yourself.

(no real anecedote behind this, just a reminder my brain gave me this morning I figured I'd pass along to anyone who hadn't gotten there yet, or might have forgotten)

EtA: also, I hear rumors that FREE FALL got not-unkind things said about it in this month's Locus. Anyone got a copy?

HARD MAGIC status report

Writing the end of a book is like falling off a log. Yes, because it's relatively easy compared to staying on said log, but also because, as you're falling, you have just enough time to think "damn it, I should have..." before you go splat.

Thankfully, if you plan it right, or get lucky, you have time to crawl back and do it right.*

For now, though? I am officially face down in my Wheaties.

It's a rough as hell draft, with three pages of notes to go back and deal with, and a subplot to expand, and at least 1.5 iterations to go before I let my editor see the damn thing, but...

Draft!

*splat*


(next up: remembering and reminding myself that the first book in a series is toughest to write because I don't know it yet, and it will take me a while to kick the mauscript into a form I'm happy with. Staying Dead went through five different revisions before it became Staying Dead. I must remember this...)


*the book's not due until August 1st. 10 weeks to revise! A luxury! Oh, except that Other Book I'm supposed to be working on, too. And the revisions for DAUGHTER OF THE SEA. And...