I just sent my revisions back to my agent. I first received his notes twenty-three days ago. Not too bad.
My plan had been to try to have one or two people read it before I sent it to him to make sure I nailed it. But by Thursday, I realized I already knew where I'd succeeded on my own. I mean, it is still possible that he will want me to take a stab at writing the first scene AGAIN after reading what I've done here. Or that he we'll want to see something more added to a certain subplot or something. I don't think anyone else is going to be able to read his mind and tell me that, though.
The very last thing I finished was the very first paragraph. I worked on it periodically over the last twenty-three days, but I only finished it a few minutes ago. When my sister called this morning, wanting me to come visit her and my niece today, I said, "I can't leave until I'm done with this first paragraph."
She said, "Here, I'll write it for you. 'Thirty minutes.' Then put a period. Then say, 'Thirty minutes was all Daniel said it would take' exclamation point. See? Easy! There you go!"
Then she typed it up in an email so I could see what it looked like.
I didn't go with her plan -- especially not with the exclamation point -- but I think I have something better. ;-)
And, by the way, thanks to everyone who helped with my "was vs. were" problem. It was very helpful!