...with a sigh of relief

A  rite of passage for me as a writer is reading my copy-edited ms (manuscript). After I finish the final draft, my editor sends the ms to a copy editor. She reads it, making notes with a red pencil, calling out typos, checking timelines and consistency, fixing errors in punctuation, etc. I've had a book that didn't get a decent copy editing job, which was frustrating, but I felt like this one was great. It's my job to go through the book, noting any of the copy editor's queries and making sure I'm okay with all of her suggested changes.

But the important/scary part for me is reading my own book and knowing that I can't make many changes. I can add a sentence or two, cut out a couple of paragraphs, change a few words, but for the most part, it's a done deal. What if I read it and am frustrated? What if I hate it? What will I do?

Last week I read the copy-edited ms of the actor and the housewife. And I loved it. I did. That's a huge relief. This is my new book for adults, release date June '09. The main character is a stay-at-home mother from Utah who meets her #1 favorite actor in the first chapter, and then tells the next 11 years of her life. I don't know if it's a comedy or drama or romance or what. But I'm very pleased with it. Ah, the anticipation! Will others like it too? Or will they egg my house or cut the brakes on my car?

I wrote about starting this book in this post (bullet #4). And followup with a mention in this post (point #4). 2 1/2 years later, it's going to the typesetter's. What a long strange trip it's been.

Comments

[Janssen]

Can't WAIT to see the new book this summer.

[Ruby Diamond]

I promise not to egg your house or harm your car. Though the chances of me not liking the book are slim, if I don't like it I won't take it out on you. Keep smiling!

[Amanda]

Ooo! I can't wait to read it! So far I've loved everything you've written. And I'm not one to love it just because I want to love it. It has to be good. (I know, I know, what makes a book "good".)

I love books that follow several years of the character's life (like L.M. Montgomery).

Again, can't wait to read it!

[Sylvia]

June is too far away Miss Shannon! :) But it should be well worth the wait. Congratulations!

[Annie]

I'm happy for you, Shannon! Congratulations and have a happy holiday!

I would never egg your house or you car even if I disliked your book! I would never even conside such a thing, and I am sure that I will love it.

[Enna Isilee]

Don't worry, I don't think anyone will egg your house or cut the brakes on your car.

But if you need a bodyguard, my schedule's open. ;)

I'm really excited for this one. Especially because it's based on a Utah person. Hey! I'm a Utah person!

[Erin]

I can't imagine one of your books being disliked, especially enough for someone to egg your house or cut your brakes!! Glad you liked it...it would be really sad to get through and not like your own book.

[Jackee]

Dude, you just totally quoted The Grateful Dead. My husband would be so impressed.

Really, though, I don't think you could put out a book that would not be loved. You put so much of yourself into your writing that no matter how different the books are, there's your following of readers who will identify with it. I know I will.

[Emilie]

That's fantastic, Shannon! Congrats and I look forward to seeing it on the shelves!

[Vicarious Reader]

Holiday Felicitations to all, and CONGRATULATIONS on sending in your (Ms. Hale's) book, and loving it! To love ones own words is a courageous feat that I have yet to truly accomplish. I hope that all enjoy their holiday!

[Kyle]

Definitely sounds like my kind of book. How am I going to wait that long?! My stomach is churning now.

[Priya]

Can't wait to read it. And Happy Holidays!

[Biel]

I can't wait to read it! I've been intrigued ever since you first mentioned it way back when.

[myrna]

Yay!

Do you know when are we going to see Forest Born and Calamity Jack?

[kt]

Till June then. Can't wait

[Kelsey]

Yay! This is why I love new years: more books, just for me! I'm already getting all excited...

[Danielle]

Ah, I am so excited to read these new books. And I totally agree with the comment above me, in saying that truly that is one of the best things about beginning a new year. More books! :)

And yes, it is a nice thing to love something that you have written. A very happy feeling indeed.

Oh, and thank you for the lovely comment on my blog! It made me really happy :D

[Calliope1of9]

Woohoo! I remember reading those two posts, I can't believe it's been that long! Congrats on the new book!

[Della]

This comment actually goes about 5 posts ago, but I suspect you don't troll your old posts for new comments. So, a book suggestion for you:
The Shamer's Daughter by Lene Kaaberbol.

Hard to find - you'll have to look on Amazon, probably, or have BN order it in for you - but I suspect it would be right up your alley. A "Shamer" is someone who, by looking into a person's eyes, can make them ashamed of any wrong thing they've done [with the useful side effects of prompting confessions, getting people to turn from their wicked ways, etc]. The narrator, Dina was born with this trait. I don't have the book in front of me but the first line is basically "Technically, it wasn't [girlname]'s fault that I got bitten by a dragon."

The are 4 books (Shamer's Daughter, Shamer's Signet, Serpent Gift, Shamer's War). I grew from reading them. Hope you check them out.

[enna-girl's girl]

I haven't posted anything in a looong time, but I just wanted to pop in two things:
1.) I can't wait to read your new book, I'm sure it'll be as brilliant as everything else you've written!!
2.) I took your advice and read the Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins. I tell you, I was literally under the covers with a flashlight reading, without a care of being discovered by my parents. It took only one night to finish reading. All because the book was absolutely thrilling. I swear, I haven't read a book like that in a long time. I'm so sad that I finished it, I now wish that I had savoured it bite by bite. I mean, page by page.
The dark shadows beneath my eyes, my crankiness as I woke up still exhausted, and the nightmare I had about being trapped in the Hunger Games, was all worth it. I recommended it to all of my friends, even.
You were absolutely right, it is definitely a book worth reading.
Thanks so much!

[writer girl]

I was just thinking (as I read about you loving your book) about how I read something by some author who wrote a book of tips on writing, and one of the things he said was that you shouldn't like what you right,and I was shocked (sorry if this is off the topic) I mean, I just read something I wrote several months ago, and I was giggling as I was reading it, and was so pleased. I don't think I could publish anything that I didn't like, and I'm so glad that you personally like your book. Heaven knows we're all going to love it. :D

[writer girl]

Crap. Sorry. Just read what I barely posted. I meant to say, he said you shouldn't like what you write, not right. I know how to spell, promise.

[Maggie McMillan]

I am seriously your biggest fan Shannon!!! I loooove all your books. I have read all of them over 10 times each and they never get old. I can't pick a favorite! And i have gotten all my friends into them too. Even this guy i know LOVED Rapunzel's Revenge. Thank you so much for blessing us with your words! :D
-Maggie

[Miss Erin]

CONGRATULATIONS SHANNON! I can't wait to read it. :D

[Victoria]

I just finished reading Austenland for my book club and I loved it. I think it would make the perfect chick-flick! I thought I'd check out your website and I'm excited to see that you're working on publishing another adult book! My mother- and sister-in-law are big fans of yours and have been to one of your signings. The next book on my "to-read" list is Princess Academy!

[janette rallison]

I should send you a copy of Masquerade--which is about an actor and a housewife. Can hardly wait to see if great minds think alike on this one . . .