I'll just say it.
I've been writing a young adult novel for the past year-and-a-half. Or so. I had to do something to take my mind off the drudgery of the revising, submitting, waiting cycle in which my literary fiction manuscript is caught.
Anyway, today I finished the YA rough draft. Now begins the editing. But, truly, it was a relative breeze to write and, beyond some serious cutting (it's 65,000 words, which I hear is a little long for a first YA manu.) and some tweaking, I don't think it needs a ton. I'll probably change my mind as soon as I go back to page 1 and begin re-reading. Right now, though, I'm a little high on my accomplishment and am not about to sully it with self-doubt. I have enough of that in other parts of my life.
The working title is Spectacle, and it's about an extremely tall teenager (surprise!) navigating family/friend/boyfriend issues, all complicated by how she feels about her very long body.
So, hooray!
Also of tall note, my most recent column for Momicillin is up and it has to do with (surprise again!) my daughter's height.
Ah, to be tall and to be able to hide a few chocolate chip cookies on my long frame.
And, to be able to see at concerts and movies and to not feel completely lost in crowds.
And, on a completely unrelated note, thank you, Angie, for inspiring me to write in my journal every day in November. I'm hoping that I will develop the habit of more frequent writing; more frequent than every six months!
Posted by: Stacy | November 08, 2010 at 05:00 PM
I'm 5'10", my SIL is just shy of 6', and a long-time friend is 6'3". People who long to be tall don't have to shop for clothing or try to fit into a medium-sized world.
Posted by: kcinnova | November 08, 2010 at 05:31 PM
I have to ask - how tall is she right now? My daughter is a kindergartner, too. And she is also easily the tallest (and one of the youngest, with her May birthday) - like the average size of a 7 year old.
(PS. Looking forward to reading your new venture!)
Posted by: BethanyWD | November 08, 2010 at 07:41 PM
I so want to read your YA novel! I was not super tall, but tall, especially when I was 8-16 years old. Add boobs. Still tall, but you know me and how I really wish I was actually 5'11" (with less boobs). Can't wait to read the new book!
PS-I love November, when you write here daily!
Posted by: Leslie | November 08, 2010 at 07:54 PM
Awesome! I read an embarrassing amount of YA lit. Let me know if you need any readers. I started one but then kind of abandoned it. I should pick it up again.
Posted by: Kristy | November 10, 2010 at 07:06 AM
I'm so happy to hear this!
Congratulations!
Posted by: slouchy | November 11, 2010 at 05:47 AM