Shane's First Car



My stepson just got his first car. He is so excited and ready to be out on the road on his own. His parents? Not so ready for this step into independence. But it's here whether we're ready for it or not.

It's kind of like sending in that manuscript to an editor or agent. We hover with our fingers over the send button, fear that it isn't ready stopping us. Then with closed eyes, we send it and hope that our baby will find its way home.

So far, Shane has had some faulty driving. He hesitates at stop lights before turning left. He likes to hug the right side of the road. He almost ran through a red light. But he's learning the rules of the road and becoming comfortable with how to handle such a big piece of machinery.

So is our story experiencing some issues. It has some bumps. Some flaws that are easily fixed: POV problems, repetition of certain favorite words (mine is smiled for some reason), plot holes. As we write more, there's less of those issues as we get comfortable with our voice and how we tell a story.

I'm happy to report that Shane has survived his first car (though his parents are still worrying and praying).

And my first book has finished its edits even though I still worry and have a list of things I could change.

I guess they're both ready to find their own way now.

Happy first day of May!






Comments

  1. How exciting for Shane and a nail-biter for the adults! But not to worry. I'm sure you set a wonderful example and he will be a terrific driver. Congratulations, Syndi, on getting through your edits. I can't wait to see your- and everyone else's covers! The reissued Heartwarming covers have been beautiful :)

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    1. I can't wait to see all our covers either. I'm in love with the reissued ones, so I'm excited to see what ours will be. LOL

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  2. Oh, a red car. Shane's got good taste. I'm already worried about Mike getting his first car in seven years LOL. I'm looking forward to your book, too.

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    1. All of us have red cars right now which is funny considering it's my favorite color but not theirs LOL.

      Enjoy him being younger, Pamela. They grow up so fast.

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  3. Hi Syndi,

    Great picture! Congrats to him and you for finishing your edits:) My son is almost 3, I don't even want to think about him driving yet lol

    xo
    Jen

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    1. Jennifer, thanks. I'm glad to have them over and can't wait to see our covers :)

      Enjoy your son while he is young. They really do grow up so fast.

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  4. Syndi, Great picture. He looks excited. That first car is a milestone. I remember being glad when we bought my oldest daughter her car. It meant my chauffeuring was cut in half. Still, all of those firsts your kids go through are a wrench to our hearts.

    Good news on you finishing your edits. And I'm giving a shout out for my buddy K.N. Casper's reprint this month. "Roots". It's a good book.

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    1. Roz, I'll have to check your friend's book out. Thanks for the suggestion.

      I didn't come into Shane's life until he was 15, so I didn't get to see many of his firsts. But I'm enjoying him now LOL. Well, except for the nailbiting rides as his passenger.

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  5. Syndi - congratulations on both fronts! Shane has romance-novel-hero potential a few years into the future. And does anything feel better than having the book finally, finally finished? It's right up there with tea and chocolate. I definitely have to look into Aimee's Cowgirl Chocolate.

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    1. Muriel, I have to check out those chocolates too LOL. It does feel good to be finished, but I'm ready to move on to the next project. And I'll let Shane know you think he's a hero. He is in my book, but then I'm his stepmom :)

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  6. Shane looks like he’s well on his way to mastering the roadways. That first car for many kids is all about just getting outside and being free. I think I didn't care back then about the way the car looked, I just wanted to be on the move. He will be great regardless his next vehicle, or the next, etc.

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