Summer of 2021, I made the decision to start writing my first novel. When I started on that journey all I had was my love of the written word. I’ve had no formal writing training. I want to create something that makes others feel the same way I do when I read something fantastic, and it changes my life.
Here we are now, Summer of 2022, and I have learned so much about the intricacies of writing. There is far more involved than I ever thought possible, and I have such profound respect and admiration for all authors.
I have had the opportunity to join a community of writers via The Write Practice and while I still have so much to learn and many skills that need honing, I am well on my way.
And now, my update…
I have officially completed the first draft of my first novel!! I feel so incredibly accomplished and proud!
I still have several steps between a finished first draft and a published book, but I have finally reached the top of this first mountain and the view from here looks great!
My next step is going to be a break from the keyboard, and a headlong dive into some books I have been meaning to read.
Once my brain has a well-deserved break, I will start my initial self-editing with a read-through from start to finish followed by the nit-picking and painstaking process that is editing 😜
When the initial editing is done, I hope to be left with a solid second draft and I will be looking for Beta readers to read the manuscript, answer some questions and provide invaluable feedback! My guess is that will be sometime in early 2023!
Stay tuned if you are interested in being a Beta reader when the time comes and thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, for taking this journey with me ❤
Alicia's Word Haven 