David J. Gailey Author

“Writing a first draft and reminding myself that I’m simply shoveling sand into a box so that later I can build castles.” — Shannon Hale

Eighteen months ago, I began the journey of writing an adult speculative fantasy novel.

As I worked, however, the finish line kept moving farther away. My outlines rewrote themselves. The characters surprised me in ways I could never have predicted. The story grew larger, deeper, and more complicated than I had imagined.

So I kept shoveling sand.

Now, at last, the finish line for my first complete draft is in sight—and I can feel my excitement building.

Only four or five chapters remain, and I am especially eager to write the climax. After journeying with these characters for so long, I no longer feel as though I am simply deciding what happens to them.

I feel as though I am walking into the ending beside them.

And that is how I know they have become real.