On Being Humbled

Around five years ago, I set a goal for myself. I wanted to be able to do a handstand by the time I was forty.

That didn’t happen.

It wasn’t for lack of discipline or consistency. My bad joints just laughed at me. No amount of stretching or strength training could counteract my genetics.

But I did publish a book. Technically, I’ll have published two books while forty. I think that makes me prouder than reaching my original goal would have.

Earlier this year, I thought I cracked the code in my writing process. Book 2 of Connection Services, Breaking Changes, felt so easy! I wrote draft 1 in seven weeks, which for me was very fast. Maybe even more amazing to me—the book required no major structural changes. On subsequent drafts after the first, I mainly targeted adding characterization and sprinkling in humor and details. I also changed minor issues based on reader feedback.

But now… I am humbled. Draft 1 of book 3 is not in great shape. After reflection, I think the issue is that I didn’t know the characters well enough to write a smooth draft 1, and I’m not sure there was any way to avoid it. I’m almost 50k words into the draft and am only now feeling like I’m hitting my stride with who they are. I’m falling in love with them too.

I challenged myself to finish draft 1 by the end of October, and my current pace is on target. Jamie and Holden are much different than the other couples. Jamie is a touch more whimsical and Holden is definitely not a golden retriever (unlike Jake and Evan!). I can’t wait for their story to be finished. Fingers crossed draft 2 goes smoothly.

Thanks for reading.