Mary Moreno - Author, Writer, Composer, Songwriter

I am a patient woman. I didn't get my rock band together and start performing my songs until I was in my mid-thirties. I didn't publish my first nonfiction book until after I'd been making a living as a writer-for-hire for several (ouch!) decades. I didn't get married until I'd been living with my fiance for over 20 years.

So, yes, patience is one of my talents. And a necessary attribute to carry along on this road to getting my first novel published. I have the right agent this time, I'm certain of that. She "gets" me, she "gets" my story and she "gets" what I'm trying to do with this mystery series that takes place in the world of opera.

Proof that she "gets" me? The edits she's asked me to make on what I thought was my fully polished, perfect manuscript. Everything she's asked me to change or add contributes to the story, makes it more entertaining and enhances the action. This is probably the first time in my writing career that I've actually welcomed someone's notes.

So I'm perfectly willing to put in the work. But what's really getting to me is my inability to sign off. Every time I go through the manuscript I find a sentence that begins with "but" or "and," a word repeated several times in one paragraph, or incorrect punctuation. Will I ever feel that this story is perfect?

And meanwhile, my friend Mozart is waiting to get this baby published so that he can return to earth and solve this crime.

Patience, my dear Mozart!