I've been told that your first book is the hardest for a number of reasons. I really really really hope this is the case. While it was an amazing and enlightening process, it was also difficult in ways that are hard to put into words. The best I can explain it, THE UNSEEN is me and I am the THE UNSEEN. I'm not talking about soul transference or anything like that but I poured it all into this book, multiple times. As I've written about before, this book has been DONE at least four times! Do you know what it feels like to cycle up to that singular moment FOUR times? It's awful!
I asked a lot of people to read this book at various times and in various forms, so I've asked for and received a ton of feedback. I wanted this feedback so that it wasn't just my mom telling me how good I was (thanks Mom!), I wanted, no needed, other people to tell me what they thought. I believed that the more people who gave feedback, the better off I'd be.
This was mostly an accurate statement.
The notes, thoughts and ideas that I got were unbelievably needed and helpful, I wouldn't have been able to finish it in the way that I did were I not surrounded by very patient and loving people. Even when people I trusted gave me tough feedback (see-Get them the hell off the train!), I appreciated it. When a family friend who's a published author told me (when I cranking out the first and second versions of this book) that she writes a book, then rewrites it again because she understands the characters, tone, setting, etc, I couldn't hear it. But that's exactly what I've done, listen to wisdom friends!
With that said, it's important to not write your book by committee. You can have friends and family members who you love and trust not fully understand your vision...and that's ok! I was talking to one of my students today who said that his friends were busting on the story he was writing because they didn't quite "get it". My advice to him?
Keep writing your story, not the story his friends think it should be.
If you don't love your story, who else will? Trust your gut and get after it. One of the most powerful things that I remind myself of every day is that there are so many people like me/you/us out there. You may be on the other side of the world, you may have never met, you many never actually meet but your story is their story. If you write with authenticity and honesty, you will find your people and they will find you.
Two minutes ago, I checked my Kindle reviews of the book. In the last few hours a gentleman reviewed THE UNSEEN, giving it five stars. The stars are amazing and I am beyond flattered and thankful, but there was something that he said that meant even more:
"This was a great, engaging read. I really enjoyed this world and the characters were refreshing. One of the characters even reminded me of my best friend. Does it get better than that? I hope there is a sequel (hint, hint) coming down the pipeline. I want to meet other Unseen!"
One of my characters reminds him of his best friend! I'm actually desperate to know which one, then I want to meet his friend!
When I'm teaching, I implore my students to be brave and ask questions. I feel them rolling their eyes right now because they've heard me say the following so many times, "If you have a question at least two others have the same question! Be brave, speak up!" Through all the ups and downs, nerves, anxiety, dreaming, hope, failure and everything that came along over the last 4+ years, I'm happy. My people are out there, the people who I'd be friends with and the people who Dan, Colman, Lily, Maeve and Ira would be friends with are waiting to find us.
To the journey.
Have a good night friends.