I’ll cut to the chase – a few days ago I received the manuscript feedback I’ve been waiting for! Yes, after seven weeks, three days, six hours and seventeen minutes (I may have made those last few numbers up) my inbox finally pinged with the editor’s opinion on my three picture book manuscripts!
And?
Well, it was pretty good! I mean, there’s stuff I need to work on, little bits to tweak in one of my stories, some alterations in another one and the third one possibly needs a large-scale re-think… hmm… but overall I was pretty pleased. It’s given me work to do without being too outfacing and also given me the sense that being published one day isn’t such a ridiculous dream. Well maybe – even writing that last sentence makes my self-doubt demon prick up his ears. But if he decides to launch an attack on my self-belief I now have this sentence (from the editor) to throw at him:
“You have three imaginative stories here, with a buoyant, humorous writing style and verses that read easily and well.”
I’m hanging on to that.
Anyway, I now have plenty to focus my attention on and the beginnings of a plan of action in my head. I know it’s going to be a long road to getting published but I feel I’m just that little bit closer now. And I’m determined to find some time this week to focus on the manuscripts. Life’s been so hectic recently but I think I’ve spotted a writing window later this week and intend to grab it! Carpe diem and all that.