Euphoric Over Completing My Novel

Image courtesy of sattva / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Two years ago, right before NaNoWriMo, I started to write my first novel, Picture Bride. I wasn’t delusional about finishing it in a month, not even 10,000 words would be possible for me. I have now received the final edited manuscript back from my editor. The home stretch no longer yawns like a never-ending winding road. I can sprint to the finish line now. Oh, what a feeling!

Many years ago, I read a book—I don’t remember its name—that suggested making a bucket list. We all have one of those in our heads, right? But the power of the list is in writing it down. That’s when it becomes real, like a contract you make with yourself. Well, you guessed it. I will be placing a check mark next to one of those items with the greatest satisfaction and sense of accomplishment in the not-too-distant future. This has to be one of my most satisfying achievements, right up there with becoming a Certified General Accountant and finishing my Master of Business Administration degree.

So what’s next? I’m not celebrating—not yet. The first finish line only applies to the writing part. As any writer knows, there’s another long mile or two ahead. Throughout these past couple of years, I have kept myself informed about the publishing world. So now I’m at a crossroad. Should I pitch my book in the traditional model or should I publish as an independent author? A part of me says I should find an agent, and yes, I have heard all kinds of horror stories about how daunting this process is, and that’s only the beginning. It doesn’t scare me. But the entrepreneurial part of me says to go all out and become Author, Publisher and Entrepreneur (APE) as suggested by many, not the least of which is +Guy Kawasaki. Okay, granted he wrote many books before he went APE and he’s got more followers than I can count…and I’m an accountant.

No matter which path I choose, no one can take away this euphoric and intoxicating feeling that I can do anything I set my mind to. The completion of this novel is testament to that tenacity and resolve. Yippee!

Giving Thanks

Picture from Office.Microsoft.com

It's Thanksgiving weekend, which means that Winter is just around the corner. But here in south-western Ontario, Mother Nature seems to have forgotten that. While the leaves, bright golden and orange--flaming reminders of Autumn's spectacular changing colours--swirl on the ground, the temperatures stubbornly remain milder than usual.

No, I'm not complaining about the weather. On the contrary, we're making hay while the sun shines. Just when I think our outdoor cycling season is over, another sunny day makes its way. After the PwC Epic Tour on September 8th, where I rode 80 kilometers, I assumed that was my last outing for this year. Yet here we are, planning another bike ride. Thanks, Mother Nature.

Our Thanksgiving turkey has been cooked and consumed. It was fresh from Costco, the place where abundance is second to nothing. The plump bird graced our dinner table in all its fine glory along with its companions, in different shapes and colours. We will be eating all things turkey for a few more days. Thanks, Costco.

My family at the dinner table...my deepest and most heartfelt thanks.