It’s true…I’m DONE with Yes, I Know the Monkey Man. I’ve read through the typeset pages…gone back and forth on a few last minute changes…and I think the manuscript is off to the printer’s now.

And guess what? My editor is still speaking to me! (It probably helps that we’re bonding over our new golden retrievers and training class experiences right now, too.) She said I showed “remarkable restraint” during this page proof stage…which means I didn’t ask for TOO MANY extra changes.

There was a time I didn’t think this day would ever come. I wasn’t sure I’d ever finish this book. I think the main problem was I’d gotten all these letters and e-mails on Do You Know the Monkey Man that when it came time to buckle down and start working I became paralyzed. I was afraid nothing I wrote was ever going to live up to Do You Know the Monkey Man and all these kids who wrote to me were going to be disappointed. It was a lot of pressure! So I started doubting my proposal and I tried to come up with all these brand new ideas, none of which worked as well as what I originally proposed.

I wrote a sequel to Trading Places with Tank Talbott, but I didn’t feel that same kind of pressure with that one. I’d gotten nice letters and e-mails on that book, too, but not as many…and not with the same insistent you’ve-GOT-to-write-a-sequel-to-this-book theme. So that one came pretty easily. It was probably the easiest book I ever wrote.

But I DID finish Yes, I Know the Monkey Man. I’m even happy with it. I hope all those girls who wrote to me will be, too.


Done!

3 thoughts on “Done!

  • December 15, 2008 at 1:24 pm
    Permalink

    Do You Know the Monkey Man?

    I loved your book so much! I thought it was really interesting and it was super fun to read! I can’t wait for the sequel.

    Thanks!

    Laura’s daughter, Maddie

    Reply
    • December 16, 2008 at 9:56 pm
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      Re: Do You Know the Monkey Man?

      How exciting to hear from you on my blog! I’m really glad you liked my book and you’re waiting for the sequel…it should be out the end of March/beginning of April.

      (Did you scroll down on my blog? If you scrolled far enough, you will see what the cover is going to look like…)

      Reply
      • December 18, 2008 at 1:22 pm
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        Re: Do You Know the Monkey Man?

        I can’t wait! I saw the cover, it looks really cool. I always have a new book, so I can’t wait to have yours!

        Thanks!

        -Maddie

        Reply

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