Just Five More Minutes...

When we were traveling with our small children—this was long before auto DVD players—and we’d played every car game known to humankind, we would hear endless questions about “how much longer ‘til we get there?” It did no good to say, “Just enjoy the journey. Sit back and relax.” Not to the restless, active kids WE had. So, our reply would be, “Just five more minutes.” Of course, eventually the kids figured out that we were just telling them that to hush them up, but it bought us about twenty more minutes of peace and quiet as they anticipated our arrival and before we got called out. “Hey, it’s been more than five minutes!” A little dishonest? Sure. Necessary for our sanity? Oh definitely. I think sometimes this is how the writing life is. Like restless small children we want to know, how much longer until we arrive? Telling someone who is pouring their heart and soul into their work to “Just sit back and relax and enjoy the journey,” doesn’t really help—not right then anyway. It didn’t for me, but I can, gratefully, say that I have enjoyed every part of this writing journey. I loved finding an idea. I loved interviewing the people who could give me the details that would make my fictional story seem authentic. I loved immersing myself in another world, very different from my own real one. I loved getting to know the people who became my main characters. Once I did, I knew what they would say and do and how the story would go which was fascinating. I enjoyed sending off my manuscript with high hopes. Screech to a stop…I did NOT enjoy the rejections! However, the criticism that went along with them was useful and eventually led to acceptance, so I could compare it to a blown head gasket. (Why yes, I am married to a mechanical man!) It took some time to absorb and move on, but I was on the road again eventually. So is being published arrival? Maybe. A lot of people think so. For me, it’s been wonderful, exciting, nerve-wracking—a huge learning experience. BUT, I know I have so much more to learn. I hope I have a better book in me to write. I know I will keep trying until my dying breath. For me, arrival will be when I know deep down in my heart that I have truly written something that will change someone’s life for the better—not just entertained them for a few hours. So, five more minutes—at a time-I'm on the road for the whole trip.