Picture Of A New Book: Part Twelve

The Martial Arts colors of the multiple belts a "Writer" wears:

White: The idea arrives and the writer accepts the journey High White: Discipline being a guide the first draft cannot turn into an editing nightmare Yellow: Weeks turn into months the handwritten draft is completed High Yellow: I call it fermenting. Setting the writing aside for up to six months to create a disconnection Green: Inviting the handwritten draft back with the goal of typing out the story without editing High Green: Edit one by the writer... fill in the blanks, redraw the pictures...make it real and understandable to the reader Blue: Setting the writing aside a second time. Fermenting for three to six months High Blue: Edit two by the writer...reacquaint yourself with the original idea. How has the story grown? Red: Begin the process of searching for a professional editor that will be honest but not injuring. Accept their truth. High Red: Make suggested changes then ferment three to six months. Black: Locate publisher or self publish 2nd: Get into the view of readers and make yourself approachable to new writers 3rd: Begin the process letting go of the connection so that other writing journeys can easily slip in Master: Never let what you do as a writer go to your head. Keep the ego in white belt status at all times.