Sayonara is loaded-up, raring to be sent out to its Final Shoot Out .
For the last three months, I’ve pushed Sayonara through a rigorous checking process.
After its completion in December 2009, I proofread the entire manuscript, checking the plot against the detailed Scene Summaries I developed through the Year of the Edit writing course.
‘Josie Roberts, a forensic student witnesses the horrific shooting of her cop dad and vows she’ll find his killer. Two years later and still no closer to her goal, she receives a phone call from Japan. Yumi, her ‘adopted daughter’ has vanished from the streets of Brisbane. Josie answers the distraught family’s plea for help.’
In January, I sent Sayonara to a critiquing buddy to read over the whole story. She’s a Japanese /English teacher and she loved it, always pleading for me to tell her the ending.
A police-officer friend, who writes Crime, checked all police investigations and court scenes were authentic and believable … I only had to make minor changes.
An Aikido instructor and his wife examined my Aikido sequences and scenes. They came back with a ‘You’ve secured it’.
I made sure Sayonara has a dramatic punch in the start and ending of every chapter, luring the Reader to read on.
Then with one final proof read of the lot … verifying spelling, grammar, consistent time references, and minimising over-used words, I transformed every ordinary noun and verb into energetic, robust versions.
Now Sayonara is primed for the Final Shoot Out with many hopes and dreams attached.
A Publisher has already requested to read Sayonara! YAY!
Hope she’ll make the first draw!
Fingers crossed for you, Karen.
Dee:-)
Thanks Dee. I have my fingers crossed too. Cheers, Karen :))
Congratulations on getting to the end, Karen. Your meticulous research and hard work is sure to pay off soon. Fingers crossed too! Joanna :))
You deserve to win this round, Karen! Good luck! 🙂
Thanks Joanna, I’ve enjoyed the Journey with Sayonara, learning so much along the way with Year of the Edit. I’m feeling very positive with Sayonara.
Cheers, Karen :))
All the very best, Karen. Your hard work and positive attitude WILL pay off!
Good luck.
Hi Carol, I really do want to win this round. Feeling lots of positive energy around me. Cheers, Karen :))
Thanks Maggie, Sayonara is pointing into a very positive direction. Cheers, Karen :))
Thanks Graham , I always appreciate it when you drop by. Thanks for the Good Luck wishes. Cheers, Karen :))
Best of luck with it Karen. Hope it won’t take too long to hear some good news.
You’ve done your homework, checked and rechecked and checked again!
I’m sure it’s going to be a winner :))
Hi Debbie, I’m holding out for some Good News too. I know its coming! … Karen :))
Hi Paula, Sayonara has had over 3 months of meticulous checking. But I know its been worth it. I’m really happy with it now. Cheers, Karen :))
That’s wonderful news! You’ve been working really hard for it, so enjoy the feeling. And you clearly have lots of people cheering you on – I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed too…
Hi Katherine, I’m feeling relieved that this stage of Sayonara is over. I ‘ll take a few days off to think about what I’ll do next … I’m feeling so wonderfully supported. Thanks Katherine for everything! Karen :))