True story: it’s taken me a really long time to write this first book. Like going on five years long. When I read about writers who draft a book or two a year, does it make me want to cry? Yes. But, Target commercials also make me want to cry, so this really isn’t an indicator.

But, one day last November, I did finish it. I wrote “the end,” and as everyone says, it was the best thing ever, at least at that moment. Then I took a little break, eventually worked up the courage to send it to some readers, 33% of which actually were able to finish it (thanks Auntie C!), and revised extensively. So, naturally, having finally reached the seeming end of my epic journey, having now sent it to 2 rounds of readers who’ve said some version of ‘it IS occasionally funny’ and ‘it is NOT physically painful to read,’ I feel like I’m ready to start querying yesterday. I have my agent list at the ready, in Excel, which obviously means business. I’ve honed my query letter 9 times. I did a query letter workshop. I joined the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and started being all writerly on Twitter. In other words: let’s do this.

But. I’m just going to… not. Do that. Not yet. It’s just not … ready.

As eager as I am to get the book out in the world and start on the next epic journey toward publishing, I don’t want to blow my one-shot-per-agent-per-project because I’m impatient. It’s taken five years … what’s a couple more months? I’m sure the thrill/agony of the querying process will be that much sweeter if I know I literally wrote the best book I could.

Happy Friday!