Mission: Accomplished

It is done. At 218 pages and 56, 596 words, with 1 day, 1 hour, and 29 minutes to spare...

My cousin, Alex, and I went to Kinko's last night to get our books printed and bound. We could scarcely suppress the giggles that threatened to burst from our lips, as we watched the printer spit out sheet after sheet of perfect white paper. I'm not a parent, but, when I held my beautiful book in my arms for the first time, I sure felt like one.

I can't believe it's already December 31st. It seems like only yesterday that Alex and I were sitting on the floor of my brother's room (why we were in my brother's room, I don't know) making our famous "gum pact" to finish a novel in a year. I don't make promises lightly and I always keep the ones I make, so I knew, once we sealed it in gum, I would have to run the race to the end. And so I have.

I feel like fireworks should be blazing in the night sky to honor the epic day Kaeli Newman finished something. Certainly, fireworks will be bursting, but to singal a New Year. Not to celebrate my book. 2011 - the year my book will be published.

I've learned so much this year from writing this book. For time's sake, I'll consolidate it into a "Top Ten" list of what I've learned. "And, so what we have learned applies to our lives today..." Forgive the random Veggie Tales moment. I teach preschool Sunday School... and I never did understand what Bob the Tomato had against the song. It's catchy!

Anyway, here is my "Top Ten":

1) I am a procrastinator. As if we didn't already know this... I think I actually enjoy the adrenaline rush as I wait until the last minute to get started. I plan to make my future deadlines MUCH shorter. Say, six months for my next book?

2) December is a horrible month for deadlines. Especially since I wait until the last minute. I will never make a deadline in December ever ever again. It's far too crazy, trying to juggle deadlines and Christmas parties.

3) Description is key. The more description, the better (and clearer!) the story.

4) Facebook is evil. Hi, my name is Kaeli and I'm a Facebook addict. (Hi, Kaeli). The first step is admitting it, right? I've learned I need to limit my Facebook time. When I get bored with my story, I find myself "checking" Facebook. And then, four hours later... You get the idea.

5) I have a huge support team. My family and friends have become my incredible fans and cheerleaders. Almost every day (at church, at the salon, at home), someone would ask, "Is your book done yet?" I even had one client stop in to the salon. She smiled and said, "You have two more days..." I'm surrounded by amazing encouragers.

6) Suspense is probably the most important element in a novel. Suspense propels readers onward, keeps them guessing, and makes them want, "MORE!" I learned that from the Hunger Games. I'm reading Mockingjay now, by the way.

7) You need someone to run the race with. It is easier to accomplish big goals if you have someone accomplishing big goals too - someone who understands the hills and valleys, someone who can give a little advice, or talk you out of giving up. My cousin, Alex, is my teammate.

8) My parents and brother are fantastic editors. And have boundless creative ideas to offer! With their knowledge and advice, they have helped make this novel what it is today. (I'm making myself laugh - #8 sounds more like a piece from an acknowledgements page).

9) Stories are discovered, not manufactured. I am simply the explorer.

10) And last, but not least, I've learned that I can do far more than I think I can, if I persevere until the end. As Josh Billings said, "Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there."


Novel Update: Oh, wait? 0 days remaining. Novel complete.