Second Draft

Okay, now we're getting somewhere!

The polished first four chapters and synopsis (20k & 5k respectively) are now in the hands of my agent, and I can stop worrying about not getting it done before the baby comes!

For the interested, here's an expanded view of the book's premise, as sent over to Lizzy:

Saskia Ryan is returning home to Rosewood after two years away, determined to make amends for the mistakes that drove her to leave in the first place, and to prove that she’s changed. But home isn’t quite as she remembered…

For starters, there’s the new guy, Edward, who seems to have wormed his way into her family’s hearts and minds – even if Saskia can’t quite figure out what he’s doing there, other than looking attractive leaning against things. He’s supposed to be assisting her Grandfather, famous author Nathanial Drury, with his latest book. But Nathanial doesn’t seem to be writing anything.

There’s the fact that her big sister Ellie won’t even listen to Saskia’s apologies, and the rest of the family, including Edward, are conspiring to keep them apart.
Then there’s her other sister, ten year old Caroline, who has apparently found a ghost in the Rose Garden and a fairy wedding in the woods.

Add in the way that everyone is going crazy getting ready for her Grandparent’s Golden Wedding Anniversary celebration, and the place is in chaos. And that’s before Nathanial makes his big announcement at the party, to “add a little fire to the festivities” – he’s planning to publish his memoirs, every scandalous little detail.

And suddenly it becomes clear to Saskia that she’s not the only one with secrets she’d rather keep to herself – and not the only one who needs forgiveness.

So, now I'm at a bit of a loose end. Do I carry on editing through the second draft, knowing that Lizzy is bound to come back with changes that will negate some of the work I've done? Do I take time out from the book to think about what I'd like to write next? Do I get back to cleaning the kitchen with a toothbrush?

You know, this would be a lot easier if the baby would just come, now that I'm ready for it.