The Golden Cord

The Golden Cord

I woke up at 1:30 A.M. and started working on the The Golden Cord, Book One of the Iron Dragon Series. Many hours later I finished going through the corrections from my editor. The final 100 pages weren’t too bad, but these things take time. I was giddy going through the book for the last time. These great moments were tempered with pain and drudgery as I suffered through what has to be the fiftieth time I’ve read this damn book—all 326 pages (105,000 words for you writer types).

I love the book, but it’s a pain in the ass to edit the thing so many times. But this is my first novel and it needed a lot of work. It’s been a journey that started at least six years ago. Since then, I’ve become a better writer and the book has improved a lot—thank God! I’ve already written the other four books in the series, but they need to be rewritten with my new level of skill. Looking over those manuscripts is going to be so much fun. [grin]

I couldn’t have done this without help from my writer friends, Patrick Tracy and Brad Beaulieu. They made the manuscript so much better—as have some other people over the years, namely the SLAG Writers group here in Salt Lake City. Now my editor, John Helfers, has done a great job and helped sharpen it up to the finest point it’s going to have. He came up with some great ideas and I’m eternally grateful to him. A fabulous editor is a wonderful thing and I feel so blessed to have found John. He’s a good writer to boot, so find a copy of Siege of Night and Fire, a cool fantasy that I would describe as Helm’s Deep with a kick ass love story.

So, now comes the final tasks before I send off the manuscript to the publisher. I need to finish the author checksheet which includes a lot of stuff. I’ve already done the front cover flap copy, the author bio, and selected an excerpt for the back of the book. I just need to write catalog copy, the dedication page, and the acknowledgement page. No problem. My author photo is going to be taken next Friday.

Here’s some cool news: the publisher agreed to use the painting by Ciruelo Cabral called Moon Dragon, featured in his 2007 Dragon’s calendar. It’s going to be awesome.

I still have a little more work to do on the manuscript, but the big task is over. For all of you who want to get a novel published I say go for it. Just keep in mind that it’s more work than you can imagine. Would I still do it if I knew then what I know now? Yes. But I would’ve been more hesitant.

My wife and I don’t have kids, by choice, and this book—and all of my writing—has ended up being like my kids. My first baby will be born in April of 2008. That’s seven damn years of being pregnant! And yes, we’re going to have a birthday party. You’re all invited!!!

Have fun writing!

Paul Genesse

Author of
The Golden Cord
Book One of the Iron Dragon Series
Releasing April, 2008

Website: www.paulgenesse.com