I’d thought when I sent my mystery off to be professionally critiqued that my next step was publication, with perhaps a few tweaks to get it just right. Let me first say that I’m grateful for the insightful commentary I received; however, the scope of some of the suggestions deflated me at first.
The editor’s comments were on target because they resonated with the warning bells in the back of my head that told me I’d gotten off course. I’d already sailed pretty far out into the story, so I stayed the course, even with the warning bells and reached my destination—a pretty good book, but not as good as it could be.
More work to be done
Now I have the correct coordinates—to keep with my nautical analogy—and know which way to go, but it’s going to take some work. I have to go against the current and start revising from where I first went astray, and keep correcting until I get to that amazing magnificent destination I hoped for all along: A well-done mystery, satisfying for readers and for me.
Today is the day I stop whining and hope the wind fills my sails with great ideas and good writing ahead.
Linda Townsdin 
I imagine you’ve heard the old Irish blessing, “May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.” Well, that’s what came to mind as I read your post, and with it I hope to encourage you in your renewed inspiration to write, write, write, the story that only you can write!
Thank you, Mark. Your comments and wonderful blog are always inspiring.
I like the analogy, like your take on this part of the process, and like that you admit to whining. I find whining an absolutely necessary part of my own process (from time to time). Without it I’d probably implode. Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi Julie, Thanks for the encouragement. I’m feeling much better today. The ideas are starting to flow again.
This is just the arrow being pulled back. Now let it go and everything will fall into place 🙂
Thanks, Laura! I love that thought!