This last week I’ve been working on the edits for the second book in the Cadence of Grace series, Though My Heart is Torn. I’ve spent my days with fingers to keyboard, heart to story…and there may have been some coffee involved. It’s hit me this morning that Be Still My Soul is about to release. Not in a year or months or even weeks. It’s releasing in days. So much is going on! Here is a little update of where I’m at right now.
Of Edits…
I was recently chatting with my friend Amanda Dykes about the editing process this time around. It’s a bit different than it was for Be Still My Soul. In some ways, it’s gone a little quicker, a little more smoothly and this round, I actually have less time than I did before. Then at the same time, it’s also been more difficult. It’s not easy for an author to detach herself from her story. Detach herself in a way that will keep her from weeping as she sends beloved pages and paragraphs to theΒ waste bin. But that’s a part of the editing process. Couple this with the fact that the author then has to turn around, create new words, new scenes, new moments, in a handful of days with the same quality of writing that she achieved in years. Its daunting. But…quite amazing.
I’ve learned that some of my favorite scenes in Be Still My Soul were written under the edit
deadline pressure. ThereΒ are a few scenes that I wrote, reviewed only a handful of times and off they went into copy edits. As an author, I was left literally panting with exhaustion and adrenaline, but also excitement at what had just poured out of me. I believe God–the author of authors–extends grace during these times–filling us up when we feel we won’t be able to pull it off. That is when the most magical writing happens.
…and Book LaunchesΒ
Not too long ago I wrote about Be Still My Soul going out into the blogging for books program. It was surreal and exciting. Now, with only days to go for Lonnie and Gideon’s story to hit shelves, I feel my world racing by. And moving in slow motion all at the same time. These days are sand through my fingers, and each moment is precious. This is the beginning of the end. The end of what was and the beginning of what’s to come. It’sΒ exhilaratingΒ just like it was before. It’s been aΒ hubbubΒ of excitement around here. October 2nd is going to be quite a day. Not only because of the book launch, but have I mentioned that it’s also my anniversary? Yep. 8 years with my wonderful hubby. We have much to celebrate!
If you think about it over the next few days or weeks, will you say a little prayer for me and my family? And will you do me one more favor? Will you leave a comment below of how I can pray for you? I would love to spend some extra time this week in prayer and if you have any requests, burdens, hopes or praises, please share them with me so we can lay these things at the Lord’s feet together. I can think of no better way to begin this next season.
Aww, Joanne, praying for you at such an EXCITING and yet nerve-wracking time! Don’t worry. Your book is great and will be greatly enjoyed. So glad you’re moving right along on the next one! And looking forward to having you on my blog this Friday. I enjoyed interviewing you SO MUCH!
Oh, and prayer requests–just praying that God will start opening doors for things like a job for my hubby. Stepped out on faith and moved, now just waiting to see God provide!
Thank you so much, Heather! Your prayers are a blessing. It is such a nerve-wracking time and so exciting…you put it so well. I had so much fun working on your interview (right now I’m chuckling at my repeated words I talked about and did the same thing in this post, lol) I think I need a thesaurus!
I will add your hubby’s job opportunities to my prayer list right now!
Well, my not-going-to-ACFW friend, we will keep one another company on facebook this week while everyone is off to play π
Joanne, I love how you describe the process with such transparency. A good writer makes it “look easy” but the hours of sweating, coffee drinking and anguish over the keyboard that makes a good read is often forgotten, like a tough baby delivery!
Can’t wait to celebrate the twin victories with you and your wonderful family.
Joanne, you’re always in my prayers, and Heather, I’ll pray for your husband’s job situation.
Beverly, it’s so true. We sure try and make it look easy, don’t we π I’m learning, and God is reminding me, that the victory is sweeter when the mountain seems the most impossible. I’m nearing the end of these edits and once again am seeing how amazing God has been in working through me and helping me find the words. I’ve passed the “I hate my book stage” and am stepping towards getting really, really excited about this 2 installment.
Got an email this morning that “Autumn Changes” is winging it’s way to my mailbox. Can’t wait!
I so love your heart for writing, for your readers, for your God. I’ll come alongside in prayer as you finish out your edits! π
Amanda, I so value your friendship. My thoughts have been circling around you and your family so much the last few days. I am so thankful for your sweet encouragement and support. Hugs and prayers, my friend!
with love and prayers as these days pass and that each day will be productive as you proceed towards the book launch and the completion of edits on book 2. I appreciate your prayers for Dad and I as we move forward with settling in the new house. It feels more like home all the time. Thank you Lord!
I am so glad that you are always just a phone call away and I can’t wait to see you later on this week. You will be in my prayers this week!! xoxo
Joanne, what a beautiful and encouraging post for writers who aren’t quite where you are just yet. I will absolutely be praying for you and your family! Congratulations on 8 wonderful years!
You could pray for my family while I’m away in Dallas. Praying no one gets ill or hurt. As a mom, you know how it is!
Jessica, I’m so glad that the post was an encouragement to you in this stage of your writing journey! Are you just counting down the hours until ACFW?! I am so excited for you and know you are going to come away with so full and with so many wonderful experiences. Praying safe travels for you and a safe time for the fam at home! π
Congrats Joanne! Two amazing milestones. You have much to be proud of. You have been used by God for awesome things π
God truly is awesome, Lisa π So thankful to see you here today and for the reminder your comment was about that email o_0 I’ve been mrs. Scatterbrain lately, lol. I hope you are having a wonderful day!
How very exciting, Joanne! Can’t wait to share in the book launch day. π
Thank you, Denise! I hope you, Dan and the kids are all doing well! I’m so excited to see you guys at the launch party. We’re going to have lots of cobbler on hand and I’m hoping plenty of fun for the kids π See you all soon!
Joanne, I can’t wait to see both books on the store shelves! I haven’t worked with a professional editor (yet…), but in editing my own work, I’m surprised how often I come up with a last-minute idea to fix a story problem. It’s exhilerating and terrifying at the same time. I just sent my finished manuscript in to my agent and now I have that horrible, “What if it’s garbage” feeling swirling around in the pit of my stomach. I can’t imagine sending it out to the world. That probably sounds funny to non-writers. Isn’t the goal to have people read it? Yes, but that doesn’t make it any less frightening.
Karen, I have felt that exact same way many times. It’s so hard to have that confidence when at the same time, we hope our writing–one part art, one part ministry–will bless others. It can be intimidating.
I am so, so, so, excited for you as you are about to embark on your ACFW adventure as a Genesis award finalist. I’m giddy just thinking about it. I will be following the live blog, rooting you on and I’m so excited to hear what fun and wonderful encounters come from the conference.
How awesome that it’s both your book launch date and anniversary!! π Love it!
Praying you have an awesome few weeks and that your big day would be full of as much joy as possible!!
Yes, Lindsay, it’s going to be quite a day π We have plans to spend it together, possibly poke around in a book shop or two *wink* and cap it all of with a dinner for 2 somewhere special. I can’t wait! Safe travels for you and after seeing that AH-Mazing pitch sheet that you’ve put together, I can’t wait to hear which hands it makes it into :)!!!
I’m so happy for you, Joanne, and wish you all the best as your book releases. Enjoy the thrill!
Thank you Keli! Your support and enthusiasm along this journey has been an incredible blessing. I save your emails, knowing that I will probably go back to them when I need an extra shot of wisdom from you who’ve been there before me.
Joanne,
Thank you for sharing your heart. I lift you up, as always… your words and images are a blessing for so many. I can’t wait to read TMHiT… and to read BSMS again…
Courage! Faithfulness! and Love… You have always inspired me with your dedication to the craft… and with that in mind, back to writing!
Ashley
let’s see if it will let me reply to miss. Ashley. I’m so excited that you are excited for TMHiT. You were there in the infant stages of the synopsis…seems like such a long time ago! I’m so excited to hear that your own edits are wrapped up, shipped off and now will be adding that to my prayers this week!
Whoops, Joanne! I was just at Gabrielle’s and decided to visit you only I forgot to turn Gabrielle off! But I think you probably know what I mean here:) Bless you for such a great post!
For some reason my reply button is being naughty, so I’m going to try this again…
Iβm chuckling with you, Laura, because I know the feeling! Iβve decided that our brains only function at about 79% come release time. I was asked the other day when the babyβs birthday was and I said βItβs either the 20th or the 21st.β π Oh, and I have the power of deletion so are all taken care of π
Joanne,
I am so excited for you….I know that everyone who is privledged to read Lonnie & Gideon’s story will LOVE it…just as much as I did.
Happy Anniversary, too.
Enjoy your day π
Karen, I’m so glad to hear that you finished Be Still My Soul…and that you loved it! I’m very much looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
Thank you, I’m so excited to get to celebrate our anniversary. It’s going to be a great day. π
Will definitely pray for you in these exciting times and Happy Anniversary! I’m busily working on revising a middle grade draft I just finished, so I’m feeling the pull and tug right now too!
Oh and Gideon is starting to grow on me now! π
Jennifer, hooray for finishing that first draft! That always seems to be the hardest part. The pull and tug really is true. It’s not always easy, but it makes us grow as writers, and that’s the best part π
Thank you for popping in today! And thank you…I am so excited for our anniversary and am doubly glad that Gideon is starting to grow on you. He’s a troublesome fellow, but there’s hope for him yet π
‘Couple this with the fact that the author then has to turn around, create new words, new scenes, new moments, in a handful of days with the same quality of writing that she achieved in years. Its daunting.’
I hear you sister. I’m there right now. Daunting is how it is!!
I loved Be Still My Soul… and can’t wait for whatever you have for us next! π
Oh, Dorothy, I feel for you! It’s not easy, is it? But I think it’s that intense challenge that makes the end result so sweet. I just reached “the end” and I am so, so, so excited about this story. I will be thinking of you as you are in the same place and cheering you on!