After delivering three children I know the drill. And as I inch closer to the Lilac Girls publication date, birthing a novel is starting to feel oddly similar.
Today I received a copyedited manuscript for the first time. It feels like the first signs of labor, thrilling but a little scary.
And in a New York City office a designer is working on a cover.
I’d love the equivalent of ultrasound to take a peek at how it’s going but I’m trying not to be a helicopter novelist.
Soon I’ll be seeing first pass pages and the final sentences will be flying off the presses, so I need to let go and let my book find its own way in life. But after a ten year gestation it’s hard to breathe and relax into the process.
Sadly, there’s no literary epidural. But good wine is a lovely substitute.
Oh how very exciting! I love this blog post as I feel like so many of us are going into labor with you! Of course the best part of labor and delivery is the moment we all get to take turns holding the newborn- and look into the eyes ( and pages) of this story that has waited so long to be told! I am struggling with having patience until publication myself, so you must be really breathing deeply these days! Great job manifesting this brilliant work…Just remember when your newborn is released into the world we will be there waiting just beyond the delivery room doors, ready to hold it, love it and do what we can to share it with the world!
My sister and I are eagerly awaiting the release of your book, Martha! It is fascinating!
Cant wait for you to read it too, Becky!