Status Update: Nov. 1, 2012

Hi everyone!

This update (unlike the last one) will be pretty short - it's actually a continuation/update of the last one, on the blood thinner protocol.

I have now been on blood thinners for a full month.  My INR has been firmly in the 2.0 - 3.0 range for all that time (after the first 5 days, when I took the shots to boost my numbers up).  At first I went in for a blood draw more than once a week, then shifted to a once/week reading, and now am at the once every 2 weeks schedule.  My INR is at 2.7 as of yesterday's reading, and will be read again in 2 weeks.  My dosage schedule is 5.0 mg 6 days a week, and 7.5 mg once a week (on Fridays), so it's very easy to remember and manage.  If I had a PE (which we still don't know for sure), it's likely diminished quite a bit over the last month.  Certainly the risk of a problem from a PE is significantly reduced by now, if not eliminated altogether.  I imagine I will soon be on a once/month schedule for testing INR - yay!

My next appointment is with the GI specialist, to take a look at the liver issues.  Those numbers have returned to normal, but a more in-depth evaluation is warranted.  That takes place in a week, on Nov. 8, so I'll probably update again after that.

Re my book - I'm essentially done with 3/4ths of the current (hopefully last) draft - yay!  I had to rewrite the last chapter of Act 2 completely, and will need to rework/rewrite the chapters of Act 3 as a result (especially the first two of the seven), but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  It's possible that the first chapter of Act 2 can be eliminated altogether, but this will probably be the last decision I make, once the full edit is complete.  I've learned a lot in doing the multiple drafts on this book - the manuscript as it exists now is dramatically different than the first draft.  The story is the same, but the telling of it is very, very different.  I also went from 8 to 6 to 5 key characters (1 primary protagonist and 4 supporting protagonists) during the course of these numerous drafts, each time learning a lot about how to refine a story while keeping in all the crucial elements of drama and plot.

During this last draft I began to really follow a more disciplined approach to ensuring that the crucial elements of drama were not only present, but in the right place (in terms of an Act 1, Act 2, Act 3 dramatic breakdown).  Balancing those parts has been a great learning experience for me, and I think it will make the writing of the last 3 books of the series much easier (and faster) , with a much better output product overall!  I think another week or so will be enough to finish that last 25% (Act 3), so I'm very excited.

If all goes well I will begin the agenting process by the middle of the month - fingers crossed, guys!