I did it!
I penned the words every author looks forward to in her/his novel, 'the end'.
Awesome, right?
Well, sort of. It's really just the beginning of inhaling countless M&M's, Oreos, Starbucks frapps, and a whole array of countless calories otherwise known as edits. Yes. The beat goes on for the writer long after they hit that final scene. Some of us find it a yummier experience than others.
For writers; Do you feel euphoric or deflated when you hit that final page?
For readers; When you hit the last page of a good book, do you feel satisfied or sad that it's over?
I feel euphoric. It's not until I sit down for the edits that I realise how far I still have to go. But I'm glad I'm not the only one who snacks her way through edits! :)
ReplyDeleteEuphoric! I feel that sense of accomplishment that I don't even think about the long road of editing. I'm almost finished my next book and I've been working overdrive to be done in two weeks! (I'll be spending my time editing at the beach...at least, that's the goal)
ReplyDeleteChristine - I'm glad we share the curse of snacking during edits. I blame edits for the fact my jeans are too tight.
ReplyDeleteClaudia - Congratulations on your novel! I'll probably be right there with you editing at the beach and other odd places. It's always easy to spot a writer. ;)
First of all, congratulations on finishing! Secondly, I feel a little combo of both. I will never forget the first time I finished a novel: the cursor sat blinking, my fingers hovered above the keyboard. For a moment I just sat there, staring.
ReplyDeleteThen, I cried. After which I laughed. And cried some more. I skimmed my fingers over the keys, closed my eyes, thanked God.
And when the edits came? Junior Mints to the rescue. Oh yeah, baby. *smile*
Alyssia - I remember finishing my first MS too. it was bittersweet. Now I just head out to dinner to celebrate.
ReplyDeleteI don't feel euphoric or deflated really, I"m more of the "Oh crap - now I have reread and edit!" person :)
ReplyDeleteAddison, congrats!!
ReplyDeleteI wanted to share that as I reader I feel both, satisfied and sad. It's nice to know the ending to a great story, but at the same time when I read I really get into the books where I feel like I know all the characters personally! I get to see them evolve and change through out the story, which makes it sad knowing that is over, and to say goodbye. However, I can re-read as many times as I want!!!
Looking forward to book 3!!
Do you have a release date? I just finished reading book 1 and 2 and i am dying to read the 3rd!!
ReplyDeleteJamie - I'm feeling it now. Good thing I like to edit!
ReplyDeleteAmanda - there are a handful of stories I've reread and if enough time goes by it will still give me that same great feeling. =)
Ruth - no release date, only because I'm deathly allergic to deadlines. ;) But it goes to my editor on the 21st and I get it back by the 28th of June. So it depends if there's much work to do after that.
I feel elated! Just the feeling of accomplishment makes it all worthwhile.
ReplyDelete@Addison If you don't mind me asking, who do you use as an editor?
Brandon, elation is the perfect emotion to describe it! I'll email you w/ the editor info.
ReplyDeleteI just finished Tremble and am so ready for the 3rd book!!! What will Chloe say!!! I'm with Ruth on this one...when is it coming out? Please let us know when you do!
ReplyDeleteJayne - I'm hoping for a cover reveal next week followed by the book itself sometime in July.
ReplyDeleteHow many books will there be?
ReplyDeleteUnknown - I'm really guessing when I say this, but about six. Numbers may change depending on how compliant my characters remain. ;)
ReplyDeleteI have yet to fully finish anything I've written, probably, because when I read, I really am sad that its over. I live a seemingly normal life of a wife, and mother of 2, and a full time worker. But, reading and writing fully allows me to become the heroine or the fly on the wall. I feel euphoric when I finish my poems or my short stories.. ( no longer then 6 chapters..) So maybe if I ever get to the ending of any of my 4 novels/meandering pen stains.. then I might know more or less about the feeling of actual accomplishment. Thus, coating me with the euphoria. I bet its comfy.
ReplyDeleteSaraWroteThis - I totally get what you're saying. Sometimes I think my writing is just pure escapism on my part. I've always been prone to fantasies so this seemed to be a natural direction for me to go in. I really admire you for having such a full life and finding time to write. It's something you have to make time for but that makes the time that you spend doing it all that more precious. ~Happy writing!
ReplyDeleteSaraWroteThis - And keep me updated! I'd love to know when you hit 'the end' ! =) You go girl!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how I feel about "the end" I haven't quite reached that just yet with any of my series books I'm too ADD lol
ReplyDeleteWhen I reach "the end" I feel a mix of both...I feel a bit accomplished (since by this point I have usually been taken away by the main character and feel slightly like I am them) and I feel sad that there aren't more adventures to tell and be able to read on forever in that character's life ...though that could be very time consuming...lol
TK -I'm very much like that. When I have a heart for my characters I tend to want to hang out in their world. I don't think it's a bad thing as long as you're able to move your plot along. A series might just be the perfect thing for you!
ReplyDelete