The novel is done!

The novel is done! Well, to be fair, a novel is never really done, now is it? I did, however, finish writing the third draft of my novel earlier this week and am allowing myself the luxury of celebrating even getting this far.

In the spirit of the last update, I thought I’d stick to the Q&A format.

Question: So what does it mean when you say that you’ve finished?

Answer: I’m done with the actual writing for now. The draft is locked. My alpha-reader’s very extensive notes and edits have now all been implemented within the manuscript.

Question: Wait, what the hell is an alpha-reader?

Answer: A saint, really. It’s someone who gives up a considerable amount of time and energy to read through your manuscript with a fine-toothed comb and offer suggestions, edits, and notes on the entirety of your draft. For me, it comprised an intense couple of weeks of back and forth dialogue with my alpha-reader, who offered really intelligent and precise edits and some stellar suggestions.

Question: What does it feel like to have reached this stage?

Answer: Incredible, really. I never thought that I’d actually write a novel, much less finish writing one. The magnitude of it hits you when you are standing in front of the printer. Printing out a manuscript makes it feel somehow more real, as though the characters and words on the screen have coalesced into something tangible. A printed manuscript is a bit like a monolith. At 340 pages and more than 86,000 words, it feels like an accomplishment in and of itself just to hold the damn thing in my hands.

Question: So has anyone else read it yet?

Answer: Funny you should ask that. Since the third draft was completed, I sent it to a few beta-readers who kindly volunteered their time.

Question: What’s the next step then?

Answer: Okay, so here’s the big news, slightly buried: This week, I began querying a small group of agents for representation. I’ve already gotten some encouraging responses and the fact that the manuscript — in its entirety or a smaller sample — is even being read and considered by literary agents is exciting and terrifying in equal measure.

Question: Can I get any clues to what the novel is actually about?

Answer: Sigh. You asked me this last time and I wouldn’t budge. I’ll narrow it down slightly more and call it a high-concept speculative thriller. Anymore than that and I’d be spoiling it.

Question: Spoilsport. Anything to say to those people who have helped you reach this point?

Answer: To those of you who have offered your guidance and advice these last few months, thank you. To those who have listened to me talk endlessly about this book, thank you even more. I couldn’t have gotten this far without the support of my family and friends, to whom I owe a monumental debt.

Question: While you’re waiting to hear back from agents, what’s next for you in terms of writing?

Answer: I’ll likely be taking on a few freelance assignments, outlining the second book in this trilogy, and solidifying some fiction and non-fiction book ideas that I’ve been turning over in my head.

Question: Any clue then about what those might be?

Answer: If you know me at all, some of the ideas — both on the fiction and non-fiction side — make perfect sense. These ideas are a logical conclusion to what I’ve been working towards for the past 10 years or so.

In other words: stay tuned.