Did you hear that scream?

That was me. I just finished the final draft of my novel. It’s come in six weeks past my goal and a couple thousand words short, but I write lean, so I’m sure when I do my first true read through, I’ll find places to add more.

Next, I’ll print it out and let it sit for a while … probably a week is the most I can keep my hands off. If you’ve been visiting this blog for a few months, you probably know I promised myself a reward for finishing this novel. I’m going to paint a graphite portrait of my main character, Jalal. And, when I’m done, I’ll post a link to it from my “I Write” page.

Then, I will do that read through, which I know should be done without the red pencil, but I also know that’s an impossible task for me. So, once through—aloud—for edits, once again to polish, and then it will be off to my beta readers. I’m choosing some writer friends, but also some who are strictly readers because that’s who I’ve written this for.

Now, I’m off to catch up on my social networking, do the laundry, maybe give the housework a lick and a promise—maybe—and then, lucky me, it’s Jalal time!

Happy. Happy. Haaappyyyyy.