The candles glowed on the tables, the voices of the guests rose and fell in excited conversation and laughter, and I sat a few feet away, gripping a glass of cold root beer for strength to face what I had worked so long to achieve.
It’s happened. I’ve officially finished my second novel. The wax seal has been formed by this crowd of people coming together to celebrate the book and my hard work.
I uttered a prayer of gratitude and left my place of hiding. I stepped out into the party room, my face filled with an anxious but relieved smile as the pressure of preparations eased into the surreal feeling that this is really happening.
So many hugs.
So many words of encouragement.
So many loving comments on my large, swelling baby bump.
Several jokes about how the first of my “twins” was safely delivered. The book was done and it would be the baby’s turn in a few weeks.
I watched my father’s smile of quiet pride and felt peace.
I felt a crush of soft hair and kisses when my two siblings engulfed me after they discovered that I’d dedicated the book in their honor.
I cleared my throat and steadied my voice to give a thank you speech and read a small excerpt from the book. They listened carefully. They took me seriously. My friends and community have often been the first ones to say the important truths that I only later come to believe for myself.
Forecast has been christened with hugs, tears, fingerprints, and the scent of fresh fortune cookies.
Now I stand back, like a nervous mom, and watch it take its first steps.
Thank you to everyone who was involved in the making of Forecast, whether it be encouraging me, brainstorming alongside my craziness, listening to my ideas, reading drafts of the book, or just believing in me.
You continue to make things like this possible.
jan
29 Jul 2013Congratulations! You’re so brave – I probably would have been hiding out in the bathroom!
Elise
29 Jul 2013My friends have given me a lot of pep talks. I worry a lot out loud, they address the worries, then gently assure me that all is well. It helps a lot!
christinaesdon
29 Jul 2013Congratulations on the birth of your second book! I’m finding the second book is the hardest to write. The first book I was oblivious, but the second book the writing process is filled with self-doubt and critique. Did you find that with writing your second book?
Elise
29 Jul 2013Thanks, Tina! This book was significantly harder to write. Yes, knowing what you’re doing makes the process entirely different. I also endeavored to take on much more complex challenges than I did with my first book. I’d recommend planning as much as you can (if you’re inclined to planning!) and sharing excerpts with a writing circle as you go, to keep you have some good encouraging direction with it.
Jack Flacco
30 Jul 2013Congratulations, Elise! Absolutely fabulous. I have yet to read FORECAST, but once I do, my review will hit Amazon.
So awesome to see all your hard work pay off. I’ll never forget how you were going crazy with the edits. Ha, now you can relax a bit. Well, relatively, given the marketing campaign will continue to chug along, of course!
Have fun and enjoy the ride! 🙂
Elise
30 Jul 2013Thanks, Jack! Yes, now is the time for relaxing–and I’ll need to do it with serious dedication because the baby will come any day now! 🙂 Thanks for writing a review once you read it. I really hope you enjoy the story. I love lots of adventure in what I read, and I’ve tried to put a good healthy dose into this novel.
dSavannah
30 Jul 2013I’m so proud of you! Looks like a great party, and for a fabulous reason! xoxo