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November 02, 2009

It's Done

My deadline for Maid To Match was Nov. 1st. I mailed the manuscript in today. Boy, does it feel good to have that puppy in the mail!! It was supposed to be finished Sept 1st, but writing two books in one year threw my schedule all out of whack, so BHP let me have a couple of extra months to finish up.

I was still so concerned about being on time that I got myself a PIT Crew. This is a Personal Intercessary Team that commited to pray for me every single day until the manuscript was finished. I cannot tell you what a tremendous difference they made!

It was made up of six people. My aunt and uncle, Larry & Donna Drake. Two women from my hometown church who have known me since I was little ... Pat Kane and Linda Wiltze. And a couple from BHP who I have become particularly close to ... Gary & Carol Johnson.

There were also countless others praying for me: my women's Bible study group, my family, my daughters and daughter-in-law, some friends and even my hairdresser!!

My sister, Gayle Evers, was also very involved in this manuscript. She's my plotting partner, but this time she actually went with me on the research trip to Biltmore. She helped me find resources, we plotted the book together and then she sent me off to write it. But if the characters did something unexpected, it was so great to be able to pick up the phone and discuss it with her. The two of us would decide if I should let the character do what they were wanting or if I should rein them in.

My critique partner, Meg Moseley, read each chapter as I wrote it and emailed it right back with an ongoing critique.

When the draft was completed, she read it, as did my mom & dad. The three of them gave me excellent feedback on how I could make it better and at what points I might want to clarify a few things.

All of which led me to today ... the mailing of the manuscript to BHP. And now, even more team work begins as editorial, marketing, sales, art and production all catch the ball and take it to the endzone. Whew! Now that's what I call a TEAM effort!!!

posted by Deeanne on 11/02/2009

Comments: 15

Elisha said...

Congratulations! I bet it feels so good to have it in the mail!

11/2/2009

Paula said...

Congratulations!! I know that's got to be the biggest relief to have it in the mail. Now go celebrate with some great chocolate!! Oh yeah, it was just halloween and I know that you love that holiday. Maybe you still have tons of candy at the house! Take a deep breath and relax for awhile.

11/2/2009

deeanne said...

LOL. I do have TONS of candy at the house! You are SO right. I didn't do it on purpose, though. Really. I ended up going to the Saturday night service at church and by the time I got home, all the trick-or-treaters had come and gone. We only got two visits after that. So I missed all the cute little ones in their precious costumes. And, now I have all this candy. And it's a lot. Really!

The girls did a whole recycling-theme with their costumes this year. Pics next week for that. :)

No taking deep breaths though. You would not BELIEVE what all I have on my desk that was urgent, like, two months ago. On second thought, you of all people would believe that. And I bet you're really glad you're not around while I scramble to do all this stuff! LOL.

11/2/2009

Lindsey said...

Wow! That's awesome! Congrats!! I can't wait to read it!!!

11/2/2009

Erin said...

CONGRATS!! I imagine that is a fantastic feeling! Now if only the rest of the process could speek buy so I can get this book in my greedy little hands! :-)

11/2/2009

Erin said...

I don't know what possessed my fingers to type "speek buy" instead of "speed by", which actually makes sense. hum.

11/2/2009

Leah said...

How wonderful that you're able to share your writing journey with your sister! Sounds like she is greatly gifted in the creative department. Would love to have someone of this talent to plot with myself -- how many more wonderful plot lines must come forth with two creative brains workin' together ;) This newest book sounds very intriguin' and I'm looking forward to the release, Deeanne !

11/2/2009

deeanne said...

Thanks, girls! If there is a "LINDY" out there who sent me an email, I tried to email back, but it kept getting returned as non-deliverable. Sorry about that! As to your question: Courting Trouble is the prequel to Deep in the Heart of Trouble. Let me know if you get this message!

11/2/2009

Deb said...

Woohoo! :) I can't wait to get my hands on it!

11/4/2009

Donna De For said...

Dee, I'm sure "Maid to Match" will be wonderful. I'm sorry you were so pressured to complete your manuscript. Please count me as one of your prayer warriors.

11/5/2009

Deeanne Gist said...

Thanks, Donna. You are so sweet! I will definitely keep that in mind. Hopefully I won't get myself in another bind like that, though! :)

11/6/2009

April Renn said...

Congrats on getting your manuscript in the mail. Can't wait for it to hit the shelves.

11/6/2009

Maggie Brendan said...

I know you must feel a great accomplishment having that completed. I'm just so taken by the kind of support that you have. My crit partner and I pray and swap ideas, but you are so luck to have such a sweet sister and all the prayer support. On my first book I had the prayer minister at my church praying for me too, but I'm thinking I need a "Pit" group like yours.:)

11/9/2009