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(Continued from page 6)
It is a case of momentum, that once I started, I found it hard to stop; so I just kept going, hating it when I was disturbed. I wrote almost a chapter a day, turning out the final five chapters plus epilogue, in about a week. I added the words, The End, on the 11th March. Then I had to type it up, which took two days and a possible case of RSI. The first draft finished printing on the 13th March 1998.
I had done it. The idea that I had first had nine years before, was finally a reality in a book. The question now was, 'was it a very good book?'. To find this out, I went right back to the beginning and read it all through for myself, making notes of typing mistakes and changing anything which I now didn't like, or didn't fit in anymore.
Major changes included, the rewriting of chapter 1, losing almost a page of chapter 3 that talked of magic, adding a bit into chapter 9 about the ways to get into Tremag's castle, putting a mention of Jason Carter into chapter 12, splitting chapter 13 in two, some expansion in chapter 20, and a certain character was renamed as Susan. The further into the book I got, the less there was to change.
I finished the changes and added another attempt at a map, and some pages from Nala's notebook. I printed out a second draft in time for a long weekend in Ullapool at the end of May, where I knew that I would be meeting with some children that I knew. My story was told, but would anyone else like it? I needed to test it on others. I gave the children a copy to proof read, and then waited.
July 27 1999
It has been over a year since I finished T'Tenneb and I have spent the time writing a couple of Treasure stories while a number of people proof read the book. Some of the people have not even managed to get through it, but there has been plenty of feedback from others. A teacher at my local school has corrected all my punctuation mistakes and Nala has given me some thoughts on the development of the characters of Rachel and Alex. I had to let him read it as he does play a large part in the story. He is glad that he is a good wizard. A couple of youngsters I know have read and enjoyed it, plus they had a couple of comments. The most pencilled notes have come from a friend that I have made in the last year. Some of them I don't agree with, but a lot make sense. I have always said that I will read all comments, but I may not act upon them.
At the end of everything, a writer must listen and trust that little small voice inside of them, even when people say something else. T'Tenneb is my vision that I have nurtured for ten years and no one else knows it like I do. There are some things that I have never been quite happy about and the comments have made me face that; and given me the courage to change them. Most of the book is just as I want it and nothing will make me believe otherwise.
Now I am on the last lap. I am about to go back into my creation after an essential break to make any final adjustments before searching out a publisher. I am in the middle of reading the pencilled notes and deciding which I will ignore and which I will act upon. I am also trying out some chapter headings as the only one that was added during the writing was The Ballad of the Soldier and the Slave. Basically, I am looking to see what the chapter is about and then trying to put it into a single line. In some cases it is easy like Nala or Tremag's Magic, but for some of the others I shall have to toss a few ideas around.
At some point, I shall try and write another chapter one. It is always the hardest bit to write and one of the youngsters said that it was confusing. Maybe it will be third time lucky.
August 27 1999
I have finally taken the plunge and written some letters to publishers. It is such a simple thing, but I have been putting it off for so long. I took some advice that an author told me and looked to see which publishers printed children's fantasy books. I then got their addresses from the Writers Handbook; the library has a copy; and drafted out a letter asking for further information. Six to begin with, and if I have no joy from them, I shall send more letters. There are a lot of publishers out there.
What I need to do now is write a synopsis. This is not going to be easy as I know this book inside out but very few other people do. I shall have to try and capture the essence of the story in about two pages, but in a way that will sell my book to the publisher. As they might also want a sample chapter, I have to think about what best shows off my style and the feel of the book. Shall I choose the attack of the Fratri, or the journey in the fog, or the desperate battle with Tremag?
Decisions; decisions.
17th September 1999
I have so far received three replies to the letters I sent to publishers. One said that their publishing list is full so they are not considering any unsolicited manuscripts. Their loss.
(Continued on page 8)
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