Understanding Authors

I am a selfish reader. 
When I visit a bookstore, I usually hunt for my favorite authors, moaning in disappointment if they haven't published another stream of well-thought-out words for my enjoyment.  In fact, I berate those self-same authors, for the time they take to write another novel.  Not in hate fan mail.  But in my mind.  You see, I expect to have a new, well-written, novel from you every time I need reading material.

For that, authors, I send you my apologies. 

Now that I too am finally writing, I understand the time it takes to write a decent story.  I understand now, the hours of research necessary for fiction, in order to astound the reader; the hours spent hunting down that perfect synonym to let the cadence of that scene flow. 

I am writing my third novel.  I still cringe when I read my first.  I sent it out, so proud, into Amazon ebooks in May.  Jubilantly, I awaited good reviews.  I even had the gall to brag to my readers (if I ever get any) to expect my next novel in that series to be available in June.

Well, yes, that new novel is finished.  And it sits, waiting for my next edit.  Which will take a while.  I learned with my first novel, that I have to forget exactly what I wrote, so my edit can actually help polish the story.

So I write my third, in another world, so I can forget, somewhat, the words I used.  I know I will never forget the story.  I lived that story, dreamed it, loved the characters and danced with them.  In some ways, the characters in my story became more real than my family and I resented mundane chores like feeding my family, that took me away from my world.

I must stand back, let the story simmer like any good stew, until it all blends.  Only then will I attempt to spice it, add another ingredient, or subtract without destroying the flavor, maybe cover the pot for another month before trying again.  And I have learned, by tasting too early, that this simmering takes longer than I expected.

So again, my apologies fellow authors. 

And I hope, dear readers, that my words help you understand why we can't slake your needs by publishing monthly, even oftener, for your habit.