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I am done with THE HARLEQUIN, sort of. I am still trapped in the rewrite, but the book is done. I am adding a couple of chapters in the middle featuring characters that play a part in the climax. I am still going to rewrite some of the ending fight scene. But the book is done. So why did I get trapped for a day, writing and rewriting this one new chapter? Because I got carried away with two brand new ideas that would work just perfectly here, or is it there? Anyway, I wrote the scene twice with two different takes on it. I threw them both out today. It’s a rewrite, not a first draft. The first draft is where you put everything and anything into the mix. The first draft is where you get to explore those blind alleys, or chase those rabbits down those holes. But in the final edit, you don’t chase bunnies, you stay the hell out of dark alleys. You do not deviate from the path laid out before you. Both the new ideas may get used in future books, but not this book. And the fact that my imagination is trying to add major plot lines at the end, means that I am done with this book. My imagination has gone onto the next project, or is ready to do so. Sometimes the editing takes more time than my muse thinks it should, and it gets impatient. But since I only have two more days to finish it all up, and get it off to New York, my muse doesn’t have much longer to get impatient. We’re out of time, if you guys are going to get this book in June. I forgot one of Hamilton’s rules of writing, or rather of rewriting. The rule is; keep it simple. Don’t throw in something brand new in the final edit. Don’t complicate a book just because you’re tired of editing and want to write something new. My imagination does not find editing as satisfying as first draft. So, need to finish, so I can do the next adventure with my imaginary friends. Merry next. Though, since I’m still sick, I may actually allow myself to get completely well before I start the next book. Yeah, being well, would be nice. Sorry, if that sounded grumpy, but I’ve done nineteen pages of fresh work today. The pages needed to be there, but I did it on a day when eight pages seemed like a whole lot. But I did it. I did it, and now I’m done. I’m going to go collapse on the couch. Apparently, we’re a plague house. Trin had to come home early from school with a low grade fever and feeling tired. This sounds familiar. I’m gonna go lay down.