After re-writing the ending three times, I finally finished the first draft — the “shitty first draft” to use Anne Lamot’s terminology — of Matters of Doubt (~85,000 words). I started this book in earnest in May of 2010, so it has been a long haul. The good news is that it’s done, and that’s the bad news, too. Now the hardest work begins — what to leave in and what to cut.
I printed out a hardcopy and plan to set it aside over the holidays. It is very hard not to dive back in, but I’m resisting the urge for at least three weeks. I want to take a fresh look. I’ll read it through quickly to check the flow of the story and then go back through with a sharp scapel. Meanwhile, I have the draft out to two people who’s judgment I trust. One is my younger daughter, who’s taking a creative writing track in college. She’s wise beyond her years.
Stay tuned. I’ll let you know how the editing goes…