"Writing the last page of the first draft," author Nicholas Sparks once observed, "is the most enjoyable moment in writing. It’s one of the most enjoyable moments in life, period."
I must agree. As one who has experienced that moment more than a dozen times in the past seven years, I can honestly say it's pretty special. Finishing even the roughest of rough drafts is an achievement worth celebrating — if only for a while.
Early Saturday morning I finished the last page of my latest first draft. Indian Paintbrush, the third novel of the five-book Carson Chronicles series, is now, officially, a full-size work in progress.
Set mostly in Phoenix, Arizona, in the winter and spring of 1944, the story follows the five time-traveling Carson siblings as they build new families and chase their parents through the twentieth century.
Much attention is given to sisters Natalie and Caitlin, their relationships with wartime aviators, and brother Cody's experiences as a regular visitor to a Japanese American internment camp.
I hope to publish the 88-chapter book, the sequel to River Rising and The Memory Tree, by the middle of December.
