We have a book!
This afternoon, listening to Gregorian chant on headphones in a futile attempt to drown out the sounds of my children bouncing off the walls with our babysitter and two of the girls in the next room, the baby wiggling happily in my lap, I typed the period on the last sentence of my book.
It’s important to note that it’s only a rough first draft; there’s still a daunting amount of editing and revision to do before I send it to my agent, and after that there will undoubtedly be tons more work before he starts shopping it to publishers. But having a completed first draft is an exciting and important step!
For those of you who are interested in stats, it’s fifteen chapters and 78,400 words (that’s 210 pages in 12-point font), though that will probably change quite a bit by the time I’m done with revisions.
I’d like to raise a virtual glass of champagne to all of you, who have been a constant source of inspiration to me throughout the process, and for whom I’m writing the book in the first place. I really cannot tell you how much I appreciate your prayers and support.
Thank you!
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**three cheers!!**
Yay! Hip hip. Hooray!
Congrats, Jen. YOU are the inspiring one!
Here's to hitting the New York Times bestseller list!
xo
EE
Congrats! That's a huge accomplishment. Now, whatever you do, make sure they publish it in digital format so I can read it on my Kindle! (please)
Oooooh, how exciting! If your book is anywhere near as good as your blog posts, it will be awesome. I have been helped and encouraged very much by much of what you write, even though you write for the atheist, and I am a long-time (protestant) Christian. Congratulations!
Congratulations! How wonderful!
I hope all the editing goes very smoothly for you.
Congrats!
We can only hope the revisions
and editorial suggestions will
result in a book much longer
than 210 pages!!!
Unless there is more than enough for
a second..third? volume?
Not to put any pressure on.. but
it is going to be worth reading for sure.
Congratulations! That's quite an accomplishment. Can't wait for it to be published.
Cheers! And congrats. I am so impressed that you have managed to work so hard on your book, your blog, and most importantly cultivating your faith and sharing it with us. Not to mention the raising of four children.
Congratulations!!
Congratulations, Jen! What a wonderful achievement. I'm a great proofreader if you happen to need one
That's wonderful! Congratulations! It must feel great to be done – even if the edits are coming, etc.
Well done, Jen!
~Nzie
Congratulations! I can't wait.
Many congratulations. That is amazing considering you just had a baby!
Congratulations!!
That's a wonderful accomplishment and I can't wait to read it.
That is so awesome! Can I read it??? LOL. Can't wait to though!
Congratulations…what an accomplishment. Can't wait to read it!
Hurray! Can't wait to read it!
Congratulations! I just know it's great!
You go girl! What an accomplishment!
Many, many congratulations! I hope you do celebrate with a little bubbly tonight. You totally deserve it. You are an inspiration to me.
Congratulations!!
Are you going to post a teaser?
Jennifer, I know how this feels, though my guess is you will have your memoir published first. So exciting to be at this place! So, I will continue to enjoy following your journey as I continue to embark on mine as well. It will be wonderful to hold the final product — no Kindle for me (not yet anyway).
Congratulations!
Congrats!!!
Congratulations!
Whoo hoo!
I feel anti-climactic every time I announce I've finished, because I know I really haven't.
It's sort of like saying "aren't you glad labor is over?" Because, of course the answer is *yes,* and you have this beautiful new creature to marvel over– but the work is just beginning.
Even so we know not to minimize it– because it is a significant moment. I'm very excited for you!
Brava, brava. You are truly inspirational.
Such GREAT news! Congratulations!
Congratulations!
I can honestly say that I will buy your book. I really love your writing. Congratulations on your progress so far!
Woohoo! Now can you please start writing the book on how you managed to do that with a newborn and three other little ones??
*squeal*
Congratulations!!
Even in the best of conditions that would be a major accomplishment.
Mazal tov! I drink "lechaim", to life, for you and your book.
Congratulations on the book!!!
I just want to say thank you, your blog has helped me in my own journey from atheism to Christianity. Your writing touches more people than you know.
Many blessings! Can't wait to read it – I will buy it for my town library!
ewk
Congratulations!
I hereby volunteer to do the portuguese translation.
CONGRATULATIONS!! The hardest part of writing a book is the first daraft and you've done it!! I cannot wait to read it!
Thank you for inspiring me each and everyday with your insight and love of GOD. Blessings to you and your family.
Congratulations! That's awesome!!
Please tell me that you have it backed up at least one or two ways… It would be tragic to lose it due to computer failure! :-/
Congrats!
Wow – now that's an accomplishment worth celebrating! I'd love to hear more about the process as you go through it. Is this your first? How did you find your agent, or did they find you? Tell me more, tell me more…
Lesley-Anne
http://sometimessuicidalmama.blogspot.com/
http://pink-ink.ning.com/
Congratulations! Can't wait to see it in print!!
Congratulations! Can't to wait for the rest of the process so we can read.
I want to be one of the first to get it, Jen! I'm sooooo excited! What a monumental task, too! Congratulations! Mazel Tov!
Congratulations, what a wonderful accomplishment!
I will raise a glass to you tonight, Jennifer, and continue with those prayers.
Can we dance? Can we praise? Can we sing?
He met you!
He gave you words!
You and He have conversed!
I hope today you revel in this whole mountain top experience!
I can't stop smiling!
Thank you, Lord, thank you, Lord!
Jen? Ps. 45:1 is yours today: "My heart bursts its banks, spilling beauty and goodness. I pour it out in a poem to the king, shaping the river into words."
Your word river with wash us all away…further up into Him.
I rejoice with you!
!!!!!!
All's grace,
Ann
Congratulations! That last word and that blessed period can be one of the most exciting things ever. Reward yourself for a job well done!
Wow! Congratulations. My friend and I are two who have been strongly affected by the internet in our investigation of Catholicism, and we were hanging out this weekend, talking about how much we were looking forward to your book!
That is so awesome! Congratulations on getting this far.
Awesome!
Now you have time to relax… oh wait… nevermind.
HURRAH! And praise the Lord!
A girlfriend of mine, who has three under four years, wondered if she could ever do anything other than care for her children. I told her I "knew" a woman who (at the time) was writing a book, kept a blog with incredible discipline, interviewed on radio shows and wrote articles, was considering adopting another child…and is going to have more children likely.
Thank you for proving God's amazingness by being open to him.
I'll be trying to wrap up a PhD dissertation for submission next year. I *only* have a toddler and a baby due next week (and a superhero husband). I remember you when I feel anxious.
Congrats!
Congratulations on this Jen! That is a huge accomplishment and I can't wait to read the final copy!
Yea!
Congratulations on this huge first step.
Amazing! Congratulations! I'm so happy for you!
Fantastic! I can't wait to read it
Congrats! Your truly inspiring. I can't wait to purchase a copy and read it cover to cover.
Congratulations!!!
Congrats! Can't wait to read it!
Laurie
Wonderful! Congratulations! What a testament to God's love and grace you are. I know that your book will be a great success and have a positive influence on all who God brings to it. Can't wait to get my copy and I will happily pay extra for your autograph.
Hey,
I'm so glad you visited my blog because your comment led me to yours! It's always fun to find other memoir writers, particularly because it's such a specific genre, and, like you commented on the blog, kinda falls between fiction and nonfiction.
I have a friend who is represented by that same agency. Congrats on finishing your draft! I look forward to hearing about the rest of the publishing process. I'm going to seek you out on Twitter, but if I don't find you, please find me: @alexisgrant. Great to connect!