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| photo courtesy JPaxonReyes |
Still, it was a nice feeling. Writing 'the end' is always a nice feeling and by nice I mean a kick-butt, fist-pumping, I-did-it feeling. Because there is always a point in every book when I think it will never be finished because 1) it sucks or 2) I've written myself into a corner or 3) a combination of those two things.
As I powered through the sagging middle I wondered why I kept pushing myself to write it at all. When I was stuck in the what-if-cycle and the doubt crows were flying I told myself to quit. But as I wrote those final pages and cried with my heroine and got a little teary because I didn't get to play with my hero any longer...all of the stress and worry and what-if-ing about was worth it. Because I like this story. I like it a lot. And because I had Those Moments with this WIP, it was all the more gratifying when I opened that last file on Monday morning and sat down and the words flowed through until The End.
Will an editor like it? I have no idea. Is it completely ready for submission? No, I have a little editing I need to do and a character arc that's a little squidgy. But I know how to fix it. I've made notes and once I'm through this week of edits on two other projects, I'll shine it up nice and pretty. For now, it's enough that I wrote The End and that I know there is a glimmer around the rough edges.
What is your favorite part of writing?
Yes, I know that feeling, Kristina! It's a little bitter-sweet when I feel so pumped that I've finished my first draft, yet a little sad that my hero won't be whispering in my ear in the middle of the night. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteWriting The End doesn't scare me or make me sad, because I write a series and, for now, my characters are with me every day. In fact, I have the luxury of digging deeper and deeper into their lives with each passing book. My favorite part of writing? Editing! Yep. LOVE it. Hate writing the crappy first draft but I really get into the editing. It's the one part of writing that doesn't feel like work for me.
ReplyDeleteI love the feeling of satisfaction I get from those two words! I just finished an ms a two weeks ago and am now engrossed in that 'shining up' stage you mentioned. I'm sad I'll be leaving my hero and heroine, but looking forward to embracing the next H/h.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your accomplishment! Each 'end' is a cause for celebration!
Thanks, Elizabeth...you hit the nail on the head!
ReplyDeleteOh, series...it was like that with my Texas Girls, Terri. But this book is a stand-alone (at least for now) so I don't know when I'll get to revisit them... :) Good luck with your edits!
Thanks, Mae! I've got a couple new characters starting those whispers, too...so I guess another ending in down the road! lol
Great post, Kristina! Writing the end is an awesome feeling because it means I get to start a new project!! And, that the awful first draft is done! I love edits, hate the first draft. So writing The End is amazing!!
ReplyDeleteI love starting new projects, Jennifer! Can't wait to open a brand new file now. :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Kristi. It's bittersweet, but nice to know--once again--that you really CAN write a book. :-)
ReplyDeleteYay! Congratulations!!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on reaching The End, Kristi! Wish I were there...! My favourite part of writing is when I'm in the zone -- you know, when you can't type fast enough and ideas are flowing. I love it -- just doesn't happen often enough :).
ReplyDeleteYay! It's funny because the first "The End" of a manuscript is the best feeling. I don't get the same feeling when I write the end on the subsequent rewrites :) even though getting through a rewrite is almost or sometimes more difficult than writing the first one.
ReplyDeleteWhat? I have to delete who? And that? No, not that! Oh. Okay. Just this once :)
Congrats on your victory.
Love this post, Kristina--you deserve the standing O. I've just written "the end" to not only a book but a six-book series and I'm sad to leave my characters behind. But, oh look, there's that shiny new book idea over there.
ReplyDeleteYAY!!! Congrats on writing the end. I can hardly wait until I can write the end on my current WIP!
ReplyDelete@Liz, yeah, always a rewarding feeling!
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by, Sharon! I'm definitely celebrating right now. :)
Cait, when the words flow? Oh, there is nothing sweeter!
Me, either, Margie. Love that first The End...the others, the bittersweet gets a little bigger. lol
Thanks, Peggy, you're so sweet! A six-book The End? I might need a swimming pool filled with chocolate for that!!
Brenda, you'll get there...chugga, chugga!
Congrats! Two of my fave words in the whole world!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on THE END!!! I know they are my two fav words.
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Kritsti. I've just reached the end myself. Funy, But I'm having a good time polishing this one. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteIt's a satisfying feeling, isn't it, D'Ann?
ReplyDeleteSara, thanks!!
Yay, Shawn!! Have fun polishing!
Ahhh, so wonderful. Congrats on "The End" and I'm wishing you much motivation on the edits. You can do it! Yay!
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