Feedback has come trickling in. Not enough for me to start a full-blown rewrite yet, but I feel it’s time to start writing again.

To that end, I began fleshing out a few places that were basically mini info-dumps and turned them into real scenes. This is work I know has to happen without anyone’s feedback telling me so.

Also, I wanted to include suggestions made in a contest I had a few months back. I asked people to finish the sentence “A story set in Hawaii simply must include _____.” I got 26 responses, and while some of the suggestions were already part of the story, I wanted to try and work in as many as possible. Most were really good ideas and have slipped in beautifully.

A few (including Candace’s exploding volcano – thanks!) have taken a little more effort, but I believe I’ve figured out how to work them in while staying true to the story. I realize I didn’t need to do this, but it’s been kind of fun and I think it actually adds some depth and interest.

So now, for a goal. My initial schedule had me finishing up this next draft at the end of October. That’s not going to happen unless I compromise significantly on the quality of the draft. I really want this next version to shine, so I’m going to give myself until the end of November. November 22 for the writing to all be done, and that will give me some time over Thanksgiving weekend to proofread and re-proofread and re-re-proofread.

Then I’ll be looking for a few more brave souls willing to spend some of their quite December downtime reading through my masterpiece. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?