huge news

I could cry and dance and cartwheel and laugh and handstand and take celebratory photos...

Because on Friday night, I finished my second draft. I almost wanted to dive right back in, begin on all the things I already knew I wanted to work on for my third draft: more magic (SO MUCH MORE) and hints woven into the story and character development for Luna's buds and history for how the Protectresses were formed and WORLD creation (to name a few of the long list of plans I already have for draft three).

Instead, I sent it to be printed and bound to spend the weekend reading it and taking notes. It's pretty wild to read every word and know that I wrote that (does this feeling ever go away? I hope not). I wrote all 350 pages filled with paragraphs and friends and twists and surprises and magical powers.

So, that's my huge news. Which is really Luna's huge news. She loves to steal the spotlight (because she also kinda controls the night sky so it's not really fair). Onto the third draft, and how I intend to approach it:

1. All my writing and editing so far has been super linear and chronological. I'm really excited to toss all this out the window and hop around from spot to spot making edits and changes and additions in NO order.

2. I added 100 pages in my second draft, I don't REALLY intend to add anything more than a new intro, but time (and Luna) will tell. Thinking this will be the draft for some cuts.

3. In a little under a year, I've written two full drafts for this book which sounds like a snail-like pace. I'm really hoping to tighten up the timeline for this draft and any subsequent drafts because the end is in sight...and I'm kinda also ready to get going with the next book in the series!

Tips for a third draft or celebratory milestones to share? I'd love to hear them (and celebrate with you)!