Had my final feedback review phone call for The Last Track Thursday night, and wrapped the edits up ten minutes ago, ticking off one more item in preparation for a Monday tactical strike. At this point, all that remains is to comb through the first fifty pages–the standard partial manuscript request. Beyond this Saturday, I have no plans to touch the story again unless it’s a condition for representation or a check.

Besides a scene that just might serve the story better a few chapters earlier, I’m comfortable with the content. A concern of such minor consequence at this point is tolerable, when I like what’s on the page enough to let go of the little things. In whole, the Final Three readers made great contributions to the manuscript and I can not imagine rowing through the revision process solo. Collective styled reviews add too much value to forsake them.

One reader’s suggestions resuscitated a very brief–yet critical–scene near the end, elevating it from almost, but a little too much cheese in that omelet. Another developed such an uncanny feel for the characters, they etched an alternate dialog tract in the margin, which was not only pretty damn good, worked better than what I had.

Definitely will tap on these three shoulders again. Oh yes, I shall.

So for everyone sick of hearing about the novel, a respite is coming. Tuesday marks a new era: more movie reviews, an occasional bit about The Confession, and a periodic check-in with my New Years resolutions. And some humor. I feel like laughing lately. Might take Oedipus out of his carrier.