Isolation and invisible besties

As I near the finish line on my first fictional novel, *The Escape Key*, I’m feeling more isolated than ever. Part of me craves solitude while I write—especially so I’m not constantly getting up to let the dogs in and out every hour. Those interruptions don’t help; they slow everything down to a crawl.

But another part of me misses having a friend to celebrate with—the kind of friend I’d jump up and down with when something big happens. For now, I’ll celebrate with my dogs and my husband.

I can see why authors escape to a mountain cabin, the beach, a park, or even a hotel room to finish a book. It’s incredibly frustrating to lose focus at the most confusing, complicated, and crucial parts of the story. Even the sweetest interruption can spark a sudden, intense fury that makes a writer seem absolutely insane.

I also don't know what I'm doing, let alone how to find an agent, an editor or a publisher!?

So....

There are times though, small moments of joy, or deep hurt, when I really miss the best friend I don’t have. I start to wonder what it is about me that makes “everyone avoid” me. I hope that’s just my anxiety talking, not what people actually feel or think. I worry I’m intolerable, annoying, or that person who “chatters incessantly”.

The book is already great, and I know it’s going to be even better once it’s published. I just hope I can get people to actually buy it. But if they don’t, I’m still going to enjoy it.

#TheEscapeKeyBook

As of today, the book has over 500 pages and over 40 chapters. I may condense some smaller chapters, but overall it's about 70% finished. Now, it's beta reading, editing, beta reading, editing, marketing, publishing.

Fingers crossed!! X0X0

-Holly

Fuggettaboutit