The Maloney Boys of Conburroi, now tentatively titled, Jess, has been rewritten...all 98 000 words. I cannot believe it.
It hasn't been an easy task...mostly because I kept doubting myself, losing faith in my story telling and my writing. But I have the best writing friends who've kept me going. They cheer me up when I'm down, they encourage me when I'm flailing, and best of all they've had belief in this story.
Without their encouragement, this story would have been tucked away in the back of my computer never to see the light of day. Without their sweet nagging, I would never have submitted it again and again. I would never have kept re-writing it after the latest round of editor's suggestions. I would never have tried to go digital. I would never have had it sent to the print section. And I would never ever have changed it to third person.
When others believe in you, give you compelling arguments, and know what they're talking about, you have to admit that you're wrong and trust them. You have to follow their advice, trust that they know, and hurl yourself into your re-write. You have to find what you love about your story and drag that out. You have to not worry when you think your story isn't telling what you wanted to tell - maybe it is, just in a different way.
So, it's been a struggle. A huge mental struggle for me. From mid-March until last night I've wrestled with my demons as I re-wrote my story.
It's a different story now...but you know what? I still love it.
These characters have been in my head since 2009 and they've developed and expanded and grown. I know them better than I know most of my friends! And they're relaxing now...again. They're hoping that their tale might be told and that they can rest. And oh, boy, am I sure hoping the same!!!
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