My Midnight Room

At last I see the end in the publishing tunnel.
Whoever said it was difficult to write a book need to think again.
Writing a book merely takes focus and discipline and that is
something we can all apply - and a little imagination of course.
What is painful – is what to do when you have written the last page.
The joy and feeling of achievement is short-lived as soon as you endeavor
to get your work published.
It took me many, many years to get my manuscript to a point where I knew
it was ready and wanted nothing more than to see it in book form.
But even then, I realized that without professional editing, I was taking a big
chance.
I knew my writing had limitations – after all – I am Afrikaans, and live in South Africa. My novel concerns Moroccans, living in Manhattan under strange circumstances.
Along comes an author of some 18 books, novels as well as poetry, and holding my breath I timidly asked him if he would mind editing my book.
This happened in a Writer’s Association group on the Internet. He wrote back that he would look at my manuscript, if he thought it worthwhile – he would edit for a fee. I grabbed the chance and sent him the first chapter. Next day he asked to see the following chapter. I sent it and by this time I could hardly breathe with anticipation.
Day after, I received an invoice for the editing, he said: “Let’s get to work. I love it!”