Sequels and Letting Go

“I am an author, a lawyer, a husband, a parent, a grandparent, a son, and an old soldier.”  Admittedly, this statement sounds oddly like the opening line at an AA meeting, but it describes things quite well for me.  Those things are NOT in order of priority, but the list does cover it.  As a result of this rather eclectic mix of life (which to some degree we all have), I (like many), tend to be constantly searching for a way to keep these things in balance.  My days are filled with trying to keep up with the wife/parent/grandparent/son news, maintain my law practice, and then find a moment here and there to write.  I will confess that the second book has been finished for some time, and it has been edited to death.  (The third one is mostly finished, but time hasn’t been kind on this one.)  Regardless, the problem with getting the second one out has been the distractions from the other things going on around me, and the fact that I want one more edit.  I will say that we’re getting close, so hopefully it will be out before too long.  

I read somewhere that Stephen King has a similar problem with wanting more edits, changes, and even then only letting the book go at the eleventh hour.  As a reader, I always thought that his delays were not necessary, but as an author, I get it!  After the first book got out (ahead of schedule), I honestly blanched.  I had no idea from where some of those grammar issues arose, or how a simple mis-print could change the meaning of a sentence.  Now I do, and trust me, I do NOT want that happening to the second one.  I can only ask that you be patient for a little longer, because it will be out, and I’m right now shooting for sometime around the end of Summer or early Fall. ~ Michael S. Pauley