The whole process from editing to printing the stories was an interesting experience, you could call it an adventure. I wrote the first drafts longhand because it's easier to edit and see how changes affect the rest of the story. Once I complete the first draft I leave that particular story alone for at least a week while I move on to new projects.
Most of the editing takes place when I type the stories. Coming back to them after a break I guess gives my subconscious time to chew on a finished story and then spit it out, as if telling me how bad (and trust me, always bad) my first draft is. In this stage, editing flows easily. One of my friends also serves as my editor. When he is doing his job I hate him, but afterward I realize how nice it is to have a second opinion. THANK YOU, LANCE!!!
What was I saying? Oh, anyway, I was typing up my stories about a month ago when suddenly the power goes out. It was the first night of typing them and I hadn't saved anything, so I think that all of my work is gone. The power outage lasted for like 1 1/2 hours, so I am left to torture myself with stress and frustration while using my cell phone as a flashlight, just waiting for the toilets and running water to stop working. Finally the electricity comes back on and I check the computer. To my relief there was file recovery, but I've learned my lesson: I don't miss the East Coast blackout from a few years back.
After that, I was able to finish my stories in a blackout-free environment. Two days ago, I sent my stories to the FedEx Office website. I had gotten as far as the payment screen before anything unusual happened. After I entered my debit card information, the website said "card authorization failure". I tried again several times, making sure everything was correct, and there was nothing wrong with the card. Developing my conspiracy theories against those idiots at the bank, I checked my account balances and discovered (against my will) that it was actually my fault. My online checking account balance had not been updated for another purchase I had made that day. The authorization failure was simply to prevent me from overdrawing. I might have freaked out just a bit over nothing. Hey, it's what I do. :)
So, my first three stories are printed and eight lucky people will receive a copy of them. Autographed copies, anyone?
The "about the author" photos:
