Giving Birth to a Book

The man who helped edit my first book once told me that writing a book is the closest a man comes to giving birth. I try not to share this with women because I've found that it really annoys them. So let me hasten to say that I'm sure nothing I've ever done comes anywhere close to what you ladies have to face in childbirth. But book writing is a long, totally consuming and at times painful process. And there ain't no epidural for writers.

Right now I'm in the final stages of the revision process. What this means is that after having written rough drafts of each chapter, I'm processing the feedback of my editor and several trusted readers. This is the polishing, refining stage. My editor and another buddy have left their comments in Microsoft Word's Track Changes feature so that I see all the suggested cuts and suggestions they make and can accept or reject them. I'm by myself all day, but I oddly feel like I've been chatting with my two friends the whole time (and at times arguing with them.)

On some chapters this revision process is easier than others. But then, on days like today there are chapters where the editorial advice is to "state the purpose of the chapter sooner and make a stronger case for it" which requires me to rework an intro and rewrite several sections.

Last night I couldn't sleep and wound up revising till 3AM. I haven't been pulling late nights with this book so that's unusual, but it's the last week so hopefully I'll survive. Today by God's grace as I was able to finish two chapters. So all in all it was a strong writing day.

Tomorrow I get the feedback of one more trusted friend who read the book with an eye to theological accuracy and then I need to revise the final two chapters. My editor feels that the last chapter needs a more stronger ending. Hmmm...I'll have to give that more thought and prayer.

Because of a missed deadline on my part, the book will be released later than originally planned. Right now the plan is for February 16, 2010. So though I'll "finish" it at the end of this week I won't hold the final product till next year. That's tough. Moms, can you imagine giving birth to a child and then having the nurses wait nine months to bring the baby to you? Agonizing. But it can't be helped. I missed the deadline.

Later this year I'll share more about the book--title, content and vision. Suffice it to say that it's not about dating or lust or courtship! It's very different than anything I've written before. And I'm looking forward to sharing it with whoever wants to read it.

Thanks for your prayers and interest. Or, if you're not praying or interested, thanks for taking the time to read this post anyway.

You're all invited to the baby shower next February.