Out of the woods for now.
This is what a finished book looks like at 63,400 words. I’m done, mother brothers. Our dear friend Jane, before she died on June 12, hearing I was almost done, told me, “Good Theo, for a first draft.” She’s right but — Goddamit Jane, I’m celebrating the 100th rewrite of this bastard with some Hamm’s Beer and you can’t stop me. (Don’t ask how I collected two copies of Story Genius. Maybe separately they’re just for bright writers.)
Now to continue journaling about and diagramming it and seeing if it tracks .. what I planned. Hopefully fine-edits ahead, and no major revisions. Fricking been at this since 2014 when I first dreamed of writing about various jobs I’ve held since age 12, caddy, paper boy, parking cars behind Moby Dick’s Bar, busking, waiting, teaching miscreants, wiping old people’s behinds, mail man, psych work. Room for sequels after teaching I guess.
Congrats! What an accomplishment. Can’t wait to read it.
Thanks, Clare!