A WRITER'S JOURNAL: PETER'S STORY UPDATE - SO CLOSE, SO CLOSE

I am so close

to having a complete draft of Peter's Story. So close that I can taste it.

I finished a draft of Chapter 11 this past Friday. I finished a draft of Chapter 12 on Sunday. On Sunday as well I massaged and finalized the last chapter, which had already been drafted, Chapter 13. Admittedly, I moved some material out of the body of the book in order to finish what I've finished, and it will have to be dealt with in the "Epilogue." That is the work which remains, writing the additional material for the epilogue.

So close. The end is in sight.

*

Yesterday I went to Milwaukee and reviewed Chapters 4, 5, and 6 with Peter. This involves having me read him the draft and he offers corrections and additions as needed, and - in the end - his approval. At this point we have reviewed and approved the Foreword and Chapters 1 through 6.

I'll meet Peter again next Monday with Chapters 7, 8, and 9 in hand.

So close.

*

I have been keeping my nose pretty close to the grinestone these past weeks - that uncomfortable position - and I haven't done much blog-reading and not much in the way of keeping up with my e-mail, I'm afraid. The push is on. The push is really on. Once I have a complete and final manuscript for Peter's Story in hand, I'll turn my attention to my collection of essays, The Idea of the Local, which will be published at the same time as Peter's Story, on the theory that I can do publicity for both books at the same time. The idea being that I might sell those interested in my writing about place on Peter's story, and those interested in Peter's story on my writing about place.

I have never before had two books come out at the same time, so this will be a new experience for me. I trust that I'll survive it.

What d'ya think?

Comments

[beth]

What I think is -- good for you, Tom!! Hang in there for that last sprint to the finish. I bet it feels good, even with the aching muscles.

[Sharon]

I think you'll survive it, a little worse for the wear maybe but basically intact. Don't know about Mary though. Anyway, push on because I am just one of many looking forward to reading both books. Then, you could be planting your garden, you know, crocus, daffodils and stuff. Oh, that's right, 15 below tonight, guess not. Yeah, tote that barge, lift that bale . . .

[Tom Montag]

Thanks, Beth! Yep, it's a sprint now, yet with a thousand last minute things to tidy up. We'll make it.

[Tom Montag]

Oh, Sharon, Mary will make it. She has been training for this kind of push all these years. In fact she does a final good proof of the clean pages once Peter has approved them. All these years she has been my best reader, and my best editor.

[MB]

I think it's remarkable. You've been working hard! And spring is coming, too!

[Tom Montag]

Thanks, MB. Yes, I've been working hard, the end is in sight, and spring is a-coming, and I'll be able to enjoy it!