I think the manuscript is finally complete

I finished the live index and then re-read the entire manuscript catching a few typos and punctuation errors. It was like re-visiting old friends as I checked all the names and made sure they were spelled correctly. I feel like I now have 483 friends (only a few of which I have actually met).

I wanted to change the font and size of the index but when I tried to do that, Word froze. I had a session with the Microsoft help desk but they could not figure it out. I have decided that the publisher can change the font and size when the book is being typeset. I do not want to lose eight years of work due to a computer program malfunction.

Now I sit and wait for a sample chapter. I assume things will move more quickly after that. All I have to do it to write the thank-you page. I just hope I remember everybody.

It’s been a long time but the end is in sight.