So, I’ve sent Reuben to New York. It was a rather alarming thing to do. He has spent nearly twenty years dawdling around in my office, so this was one big step. I first started writing his story on a manual typewriter with carbon copies for my file. The second draft was done on a magical Selectra with automatic white-out tape for mistakes.
When we graduated to a huge apple computer and five inch floppy discs, I discovered the keyboard was too sensitive for my fingers. The rough draft I eventually showed a kind editor had a lot of extra “j’s” in the text. My index finger automatically tapped the “j” anytime I started a new word. Even so, the kind editor dug through Rueben’s story (his name was Jonas at the time) and guided me through two more revisions.
Reuben’s story has passed through three or four more text-conversions since then. And multiple author’s revisions. Surely he is ready after all that to face the bright lights of the city. Surely he can stand to be scrutinized and categorized and market-analyzed by the best.
And, no matter what comes of this little jaunt, I’ll be glad I sent him out. It’s been a great journey so far.
I love the title of this post. I hope I send Faith to New York soon. And I'll be so happy when they're both visiting the whole darn country.
Ah yes, the Selectric! I was thinking of my old one the other day. Still something very satisfying about hearing little clicks as you type along.
So to whom did you send him? What publishing house?
It is actually being reviewed by an agent right now. Just a few chapters. My hopes aren't too high. 🙂