Writing...and erasing...and rewriting. Sometimes, my computer turns into a chalk board.

Most authors know how much of a process writing a good book is.

I'm sure most readers realize this as well, but definately not always.  I will admit that writing Sapphire Universe and Dark Universe was a process, and not easy by any means.  SU was my first book, and I had no idea what I was doing.  It took three covers and several- SEVERAL edits before I realized...wow...I'm a shitty cover artist and I can't edit my own work to save my life.  During DU my life was full...FILLED TO THE MAX with family and personal and work related drama.  I didn't think I was going to get done on time, honestly.

Hard of Heart, is proving to be even more difficult.  Not only have I spent countless hours researching for this book, but I'm forcing myself into a place with my writing that I haven't visited before.  SU and DU both touched on emotional and tough issues, but they were riddled with humor and both of my main characters were emotionally strong and had a lot of support to make it through.  So there wasn't a whole lot of fuss or muss. 

I finally got the point where I could sit down and write Hard of Heart, and I made it through the entire prologue.  Now this prologue is sort of lengthy because it's the telling of Alexa and Kaleb's childhood.  This is something that is important in the book, because it gives you the whys and hows and whos.  How did Kaleb and Alexa meet and become close?  Why did Kaleb join the military?  Why did Alexa fall in love with him?  Who were they and how did they end up here?

I was LOVING IT.  The words were flowing, the characters were developing and I gave myself a nice little pat on the back.  Then I sat down to read it...and...something wasn't right.  It didn't have the right tone, the narration was all wrong, the stories didn't mesh with my theme...it just didn't work. 

Wanna know what I did?

Yup...you guessed it.  I deleted everything.  Clean slate.  I reoutlined, I changed up the narration, I started completely over from scratch. 

Did it suck?  Hell yes, but it had to be done.  The thing is, I know my plot and the theme and the storyline like the back of my hand.  I have my hidden lessons and messages and ideas all outlined and ready to change some perceptions, but the process is a bit sticky.  I don't want to fall into what's comfortable and write another Universe novel.  I want this book to be different and stand on it's own. 

So...Here I go, rewriting and all that jazz.  Keep sending me those encouraging messages my friends... I'm going to need them.