Tyler Hillis

The work begins again.

It has been longer than I initially planned to step away from the book, but honestly, the three and a half months now feel like time well spent. Not only do I think it will help in the editing process of the book, but I also achieved other things. I had an amazing vacation to Europe with the love of my life. I coached my second season of high school soccer. I went down to California and spent time with my family. I got a couple new tattoos. And I allowed myself to enjoy a bit of rest. As much as I wanted to get back to the book, life is about the variety of experiences you have, and my 2023 has been kaleidoscopic.

Over the last two weeks I read through the first draft for the first time and had the opportunity to feel like an uninformed reader. It was a great way to highlight some of the big issues across the story, but also admire the work I had done. There is a genuine story in there that I thoroughly enjoyed. Unfortunately, it’s buried underneath a pile of sloppy writing.

But that’s okay, I tell myself. That’s the point.

The first draft is supposed to be vomit on the page. I knew there was something I had to get out, but a whole lot more came with it.

So tonight, I begin in earnest on the second draft of the book (of which I am toying with a new title).

One day I hope to clean it up enough to have others read it. Until then, the work begins again.