I’m gonna ramble a bit here.

So I thought I had it. I finished the big rewrite and felt like I would be moving into line edits and grammar shortly. I’d publish by the end of the summer. (Oh, if you need context – I’m writing a book.)

I decided to have a new group of test readers give me their feedback. And honestly, I did it so I’d have some folks tell me: “This is amazing! I love this! You’re going to win the Pulitzer!”

But it didn’t go down like that. Like the feedback from draft 1, they didn’t like my main character. They didn’t connect with him and therefore didn’t feel engaged in the book as much as they should have.

Worse off…I agreed with them. 

So here’s what I’ve got…I’ve got a terrific story, magnetic supporting characters, a writing style that sings. I’ve got something really special. 

But what I don’t have is a compelling main character. Which is a pretty big flaw.

It’s like I’ve built a football team. I’ve assembled all-star receivers, linemen, defense, coaches. But my quarterback is a shriveled and sickly old man.

SOOOO…it’s gonna be a bit longer than I expected. I know some of you preordered the book, for which I am so so so grateful. I means a lot to me in this uncertain process. But if you want you money back, let me know. Because you’re not gonna get what you paid for until the end of the year at least. Probably 2027.

It’s gonna be good, I promise. Hell, it’s good NOW. But not good enough. It will be worth the wait.

(For the record, writing a book is hard and wonderful, and every encouraging thing anyone says to me is noticed and appreciated.)

Other life updates:

• Alex was awarded a big scholarship for the biology work he’s doing at school. It means he’s going to be living in Atlanta this summer.
• Jack and Shani are going to Ireland in June for a week, and it fills me with bright joy imagining those two traveling together.
• In July, Jack and I will be going to Florida and completing our quest to go to all 30 MLB stadiums. At 4:10 game on Saturday, July 25^th at LoadDepot Park in Miami we will complete what has been a 15-year journey. We are arranging to get tattoos immediately following the game.
• Shani and I are still very much in love. Things are good in that department (as usual).

Here’s a few random shots of me re-writing my lead character in coffee shops.