Birthing a book

While I was the Pikes Peak Writers Conference last month, the discussions which got me most jazzed were the ones about Middle Grade fiction. I've had a MG idea in my head for about a year now, floating around with a bunch of other stuff--things like "I really should lose ten pounds," "I wish I could find that cordless phone we're missing," and "I hope Boy isn't missing any immunizations." I'm still ignoring everything else floating around in my cranium, but I've decided I'm going to birth my MG idea.

Just like a baby takes about 9 months to get the heck out, that's how long I'm hoping my new novel will take. I started writing a couple weeks ago, so I should be done by January. And, yeah, no varicose veins involved with this birthing project!

I'll let you know when the book really starts kicking, and if the little sucker comes out prematurely, all the better, I say. (my kids were each a little early--oldest was three weeks early with zero indication, just a middle of the night "I think my water broke"--and it worked out just fine).

How long is gestation for your books?