Recently, I was given back my manuscript by one of my beta readers. Corrections were minimal, but helpful. Her praise for my book had me glowing. Someone liked my book! Validation is a wonderful thing. That tiny piece of positive erased all my doubts.

Don’t get me wrong. Her compliments, while making me feel like a million bucks, did not go to my head. She is one voice, and a friend too. A very honest friend, but I know enough to accept her kudos and continue to strive harder.

What it did do however, was encourage me. I told a story and someone liked it. Enough to want to read the next book in the series. That was a thrill in itself. It has given me the encouragement I needed to continue along this path. No longer is it just a story that was in my head. It has become a book, with a series in the making.

My mind is reeling with plots for future books. I had a dilemma over two characters. Had an epiphany, problem solved! Unfortunately, they are slated for book three. Need to finish the other two first.  Once again, I am feeling exhilarated and excited about writing. I want more time to write. Unfortunately, there seems to be less free time right now. The holiday season demands its own time, decorating, shopping, planning. It will all fall into place as it should. I must learn patience. That virtue has never been in my genetic makeup.

For now, I am trying to cope with responsibilities, commitments and obligations. Somewhere in the chaos of the mix, I try to pare out time for edits and writing. It’s an unbalanced scale, but I’m doing the best I can. Guess that’s the best any of us can do.

Until next week,

~ Madison

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