I was very excited to finish the first draft of my latest manuscript, Unwilling Witness.  Of course, it is my first draft!  Over the years I've sort of figured out how I need to write, though this is constantly evolving.  I have friends who are final draft writers.  Before they move on, each sentence must be perfect.  Each emotion must work.  By the time they finish the book, they just send it in.  I wish I could write that way.  I've tried to.  Believe me I have.  

However, one of the most important lessons I've learned over time is that each writer has to learn what works for them.  When I try to final draft write, my pacing suffers.  In fact, my pacing is so slow, I fall asleep reading my own story!  I've learned that my stories are best when I write iteratively.  It's irritating, actually--my process, I mean...

I've been around the writing block more than once...but I've yet to see my book on a bookshelf.  Why, you might ask?  I've asked myself that question more times than I'd like--and others have asked it of me.  I believe I can string sentences together pretty well; I have a fantastic critque group; I studied the craft.  I've even had a few people credit me with helping them push their way from unsold to sold.  So why haven't I sold a book yet?  And more importantly, why have I kept writing?

There have been times I wanted to quit; times I wondered if it was worth it.  Then I'd dream the stories again and realize, for good or for bad, I'm a storyteller.  I want to share my stories with the world. 

So, what's stopped me?