Peggy Arthur

By Peggy Arthur

Greetings!

There are moments in the creative process that feel less like milestones and more like thresholds. This is one of them.

I’m thrilled to share that The Pretender’s Game: Book One is officially complete! What follows is the process, step by step, from completion to what comes next.

Step One: Finishing the Manuscript

Finishing a first book isn’t just about typing the final sentence. It’s about staying with a story long enough for it to become whole.

Finishing a manuscript is like cross-country track: endurance wins the race.

It means trusting your voice, your instincts, and the quiet pull of a narrative that insists on being told, even when the work feels heavy, uncertain, or unfinished.

This step took time.
It took discipline.
It took endurance.
And it took faith.

Step Two: Submission

The manuscript has officially been submitted to my editor. The contract is signed. The consideration has been paid. The project has moved from my hands into professional care, and the next phase of this book’s life has begun.

This step marks a shift from creation to collaboration.

Step Three: The Emotional Aftermath

The morning after submission, I woke up with an unexpected sense of unease. Sending the manuscript off felt a lot like dropping a child off at college.

You know you’ve prepared them. You’ve checked the bags and maybe even helped unpack. You’ve gone over everything one last time. And still, when you walk away, there’s that lingering question:

Are they ready? Did I forget something? Will they be okay without me hovering?

This feeling has a name among writers: post-submission separation anxiety. It’s a mix of pride, vulnerability, relief, and nervous energy that shows up when a project leaves your hands and enters someone else’s care.

I learned that this uneasiness is normal. It’s born from commitment and determination. It means the work mattered.

Step Four: Naming the Fear

Once I recognized what I was feeling, I named it and shared it with my editor. After all, she already has a substantial part of me sitting on her computer. How much more vulnerable can you get?

She acknowledged my feelings and assured me she’d keep me updated throughout the process. That simple act of care eased my anxiety more than I expected.

Step Five: Using the Space Wisely

Now, I’m using this in-between space intentionally.

I’m getting organized.
Creating my calendar.
Drafting my query letter.
Refining my pitch.
Writing the synopsis.
Shaping the blurb.
And organizing my notes for Book Two.

The work hasn’t stopped; it’s simply shifted.

What Comes Next

This moment isn’t an ending. It’s an opening.

An invitation to trust the process.
An invitation to keep building.
An invitation to step forward without holding everything so tightly.

Join the Conversation

If you’ve ever finished something meaningful—or released something you poured yourself into—I’d love to hear from you.

💬 Leave a comment below and share what that moment felt like for you.
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