Corny, I know, but I kept thinking, for the past week, I could see the end of this book. Not the 12,000 word original ending that I cut, but the new end. The one with the new timeline and the better conclusion and the tied up relationships that will leave the reader satisfied.
Well, a better ending anyway. One that felt like an end.
I knew what I wanted it to be. It was all written in my head. Getting the words on the page, though, was an entirely different matter. I struggled to make it just right.
But tonight I finished. I typed the last words and I knew: they were the perfect last words.
It isn't the end, of course. It's never the end until the book is in print; there will be one more good polishing run through and the critiques of my fabulous writing group to take into account. This will be the first submission I make to my MFA program, which means there will be revisions from that as well.
But I'm done with the good draft. The one that works. The holes are filled, the character's journey's complete. It feels... right.
Oh, good for you, Heidi! That must be such a great feeling. (And one I hope to experience...some day. ;o)
ReplyDeleteYay! Congratulations, Heidi! Finishing a book gives you such a great feeling--especially when it ends just how you had in mind.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. It's always a good feeling to be done. Even if it's only for a little while.
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed. I am so excited.
ReplyDeleteYOU FINISHED ANOTHER!
Isn't it a nice feeling?
:-D
That's wonderful. Yippee!
ReplyDeleteGreat news. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteGreat news! I'm excited to hear about the rest of the journey with this book too.
ReplyDeleteWooHoo!! I'll do a little happy dance for you after I get off my exercise bike - it's my blog running time.
ReplyDeleteAwesome.
And - I can see Palin's house from my house. Does that count?
Kidding.
Congrats and do let us know how this fares with you MFA colleagues.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I hope you have plans for celebrating. That is an accomplishment, worth toasting. Since I'm still doing coffee, I'll raise my mug to you.
ReplyDeleteThat first paragraph is perfect!
ReplyDeleteI"m kinda glad you mentioned the part about how it's never done until it's in print. I don't find that discouraging. It reassures me that I'm not the only one who frets about editing...
You know I knew you'd get it there. !!
WTG! I expect you are enjoying the day...basking in the glory of it. :)
ReplyDeleteYay! That's awesome. Now you can take some deserved time to smell the flowers before the next round of editing. :D
ReplyDelete