So, it's been a year.

That's right. It's been one year since I went public with my write-a-book-by-30 goal. What have I done since then? I wrote a book.

By the time I turned 30 last November, I had a significant rough draft under my belt. But there were some holes and it needed some revisions, so I kept working. I've been working on those and fine tuning and fine tuning for months (with several breaks in between because I sometimes get tired of myself).

But now I'm done! <pant, pant> (I seriously just finished the final revisions a few days ago and I'm still feeling a bit out of breath. It was hard work. My matted hair and glazed-over eyes had quite a tale to tell.) So I'm done and I'm quite proud. It was a feat, and I accomplished it. There are more feats ahead, like getting an agent and getting published, but at least I've done this much. And even though this book has been my constant companion for the last year, staring it in the face for hours on end, and a nearly constant source of emotional upheaval (for good and for bad), I don't hate it.

But I wouldn't say I'm in love with it either. The hard part about doing this is having better taste than what I can actually produce. It's not as good as I want it to be, and that's a hard pill to swallow. But I think it's a great first draft, I'm proud that I wrote it, and I will focus on that.

So here's where things stand:

• I have a first draft, and now it's being read by a few friends and family for some much needed feedback while I put my feet up and catch up on all the ice cream I've been too busy to eat.
• I have a first draft, which means there will be other drafts. This almost makes me cry a little, like a baby, because getting to this point was such a challenge, but I think the first might be the hardest? Maybe? Someone tell me it is. At least I know how to get this far now, and I don't have to start at zero all over again. (That is, until I decide to write another book.)
• So I will continue to revise and make it the best it can possibly be.
• And then I will start querying for an agent.
• And then that agent will try to get my book published.
• And then it will get published and I will finally get to swim in that pool full of pink starbursts like I've always wanted.

Thanks to anyone and everyone for your excitement and questions. Talking about the book kept me excited and motivated to finish. And there's only more excitement to come! <pant, pant>