Done it!

I've finally emailed my entry for the Windhammer 2010 gamebook prize.

http://www.arborell.com/windhammer_prize_2010.html

I knew it was time when I was just scrolling up and down the document, not changing anything any more.

If there is one thing that writing this book has taught me, it is that a book needs to be picked through with a fine tooth comb once it is finished. It needs to be read by people who have had nothing to do with the book (I thank my fiancee for doing this. XXX) and and their opinions need to be taken on board and then it needs to be proof read.

Finishing a book is only the beginning. However, I do not want to think about these things as I write or I will never finish a book. That is a very common trap for writers.

I enjoy the creative process of writing and I enjoy finishing. I enjoy the revision process less so, but that is what needs to be done, because every first draft I write is riddled with mistakes. I'm sure I will make fewer mistakes the more I do this, but I think that no one alive ever has produced a perfect book on their first draft.

However, 'perfection' can never be reached. I'm sure if I looked at my entry further, I would change words purely because I thought other words were better. They would not add anything to the book; they would just make a different book. Those changes would depend on my whims. I got to that stage last night, but decided that I would sleep on it before emailing the book off. I looked at the book this morning and played through a couple of bits. I made a couple of very minor changes and then started scrolling up and down. That is when the timer in my brain went off, telling me to get the book out of the oven and start to serve it to people.

I look forward to the Windhammer prize. I get constructive feedback which I have found invaluable. I also get to read a lot of fresh amateur gamebooks. The voting begins on the 14th September and you can send in your votes until the 30th October. This is so we can read through all the books and make a good judgement of all of them, so we can choose a two favourites to vote for.

I look forward to it. However, I am now going to do something that doesn't involve checking a gamebook. I've had enough of that for the time being.