You can’t see me, but I’ve been doing a little celebration dance for the past week. (I’d add a meme, but they tend to interrupt the reading experience.)
Why? Two reasons.
First, I’ve edited the first act of my novel Hope and Madness. This is the first pass of many, but possibly the most crucial. It’s where I mold my first draft into a working story. My critique pals are actually enjoying my pages and looking forward to the next installment. YEAH! Major forward progress.
Second, I’ve received very positive feedback from my mentor. She feels like my (authorial) voice is strong and works well. She also said I’ve found a good mix of interiority and external plots. Pinch me, please. My writing doesn’t suck.
Cue the Rocky movie music as I climb the stairs and dance around after reaching the top.
Both are significant wins on my writing journey. When I began, there was no guarantee I’d ever reach this point. Based on early feedback, reaching this level of craft seemed nearly impossible. It took significant courage to persevere. The sense of accomplishment and sheer joy of reaching this point is something I shared before.
And so, I’m celebrating these wins. Buoyed and ready to wade into the messy middle. I am a writer; see me dance.
If you’re in the middle of something challenging, I’d love to hear what progress looks like for you and how you mark your wins, big or small.