Almost 6 months has now gone by since we reached Santiago de Compostela. It seems both a long time and a short time, if that makes any sense at all.
We have returned to “normal” life with all its dramas and distractions. Tasks to be completed; clients to be serviced; community work to be undertaken; family matters to be attended to; friends to visit and entertain; future trips to be planned – no wonder the 6 months has gone quickly. My completion certificate (not my Compostela; I opted not to get one of those) sits beside my computer as a reminder.
My book progresses. Today I reached a bit of a milestone; the 25,000 word mark. I think I am about a third of the way through. I’m trying to remember all the detail so that I can represent the walk accurately. And at the same time I spend time researching some of the fine detail of the places we have visited, and the some of historical events behind them. I am really enjoying the task, and I am learning a lot at so many levels, but writing it is hard work, harder than I thought it would be when I first dreamed up this goal. I wonder how the final manuscript will feel … [And isn’t the word “manuscript” such a delight – from the Latin for “hand” and “writing” – so yesteryear.]
I made a commitment to myself today that I would aim for publication on 13 October this year. That is 12 months to the day since we walked into Santiago. Working backwards, that means I have to submit my manuscript on 17 July. I have about 30 more days to write about, and each day is taking me at least 4 hours, so 17 July will be a stretch. Will it matter if I don’t make the 13 October publishing date? No, it’s an arbitrary, romantic date, but I’ll aim for it anyway.
Until next time …
One Million Steps 