Tomorrow, the e-version of Miracle in a Dry Season will release. By the following Tuesday, the print version should be available just about everywhere books are sold.
Eep.
This is both wonderful and terrifying. I’ve already seen a handful of reviews from early readers that have been very gratifying. It’s SO satisfying to hear readers talk about the very themes I hoped were somewhere on those pages between the pretty covers. Because in story telling, there comes a point when I’ve written, edited, re-edited, and combed through those words to the point that I’m not sure what’s in there anymore.
Which is where I am with the sequel–Until the Harvest. I’ve written it, completed the major edits, and now it’s time to send it back to my editor for another thorough going over. And I don’t want to let go of it.
I keep wondering if this story communicates what I hope it does. Did I get the message in there? If a reader loved Casewell, will she also love Henry? What about Margaret? She’s nothing like Perla. Having gotten some feedback on book #1, I now have an idea about what’s appealing to readers. Do I still have that in book #2?
I had not anticipated these doubts. It makes me really, really glad that I’ve already written Until the Harvest. If I were just jumping in now, I’d be much too heavily influenced by what I think readers want instead of what God has called me to write.
And there’s the hard part. It’s not about me. I’ve grown the best book I can from the seed God planted in my heart the day Henry and Margaret’s story began forming in my mind. I’ve nurtured and watered and pruned (oh, how I’ve pruned!). And those glorious lines that might capture people’s hearts? If there are any, they’re the ones God whispered in my ear. At this point, trying to come up with anything else on my own would be foolish.
So, as Miracle in a Dry Season goes out into the world to do whatever God plans to do with it, I’ll pry my fingers off the digital pages of Until the Harvest and hit send. I’d say I’m giving it to God except that it’s always been His. He’s just been letting me hold it for a while. And that is more than good enough for me.
Meet Sarah
Oh my gosh Sarah. I’ll be counting the days for the sequel Until the Harvest. I just could not get enough of Miracle in a Dry Season. You are a amazing author and your books people will love reading them.
And you are an amazing cheerleader–thank you!
I’m right there with you, but it’s my third book I’m having all these same feelings about. I’m nearly finished the content edits for The Wood’s Edge, and will do a final fast read through before my deadline to see exactly what IS still in this book! The head gets a bit swimmy in the midst of content edits, doesn’t it? There are still a few stages of editing left to polish things, but it’s HARD to let it go in the midst of feeling doubts. I think it’s a natural part of the process. I went through it with both my earlier books, and here I am again. And I agree that it’s been very good to have these books already written before they were contracted. But that lovely season has passed for me. The publishing journey has overtaken my finished manuscripts. My fourth book is waiting in the wings for me to get back to the writing of it, in between edits for The Wood’s Edge (I had a lofty goal of not putting that writing aside during content edits, but juggling both; that went right out the door on Day 1!). Congratulations on your first book baby. I’ve heard good things, and I look forward to reading it. 🙂
Oh, it’s such a relief to know it’s not just me! And I am kind of itching to get to rewrites of book #3. While it’s already written, there’s quite I bit I want to change. Having something else to focus on should help me let go!
Honestly, I’m so glad I get to watch you walk through some of these things a few steps ahead of me in the process. You are handling everything so gracefully, Sarah, and I admire you greatly. This sentence stopped me in my tracks: “If I were just jumping in now, I’d be much too heavily influenced by what I think readers want instead of what God has called me to write.” It’s something for me to remember as I’m just starting my second book!
Glad to hack through the jungle ahead of you! Of course, I’m following behind some awesome writers who are a few steps ahead of me. Pass it on, my friend!
What a great post, Sarah, and I’m joining in your pre-release excitement! Your heart for these stories and for the God who entrusted them to you is just beautiful.This… “I’d say I’m giving it to God except that it’s always been His. He’s just been letting me hold it for a while. And that is more than good enough for me.” –it’s a picture of the beautiful place your heart is resting in this, and it’s amazing. Thank you for serving Him in this wonderful way! 🙂
I appreciate this comment so much, Amanda. Thank you.
For me, failure isn’t as scary as success. I know what failure feels like, so I can recycle those emotions.
But for you? Well, after having read some of your work, I have 100% confidence that all will be well!!
Now that’s the kind of talk I like to hear!