Finish: (v.) to arrive at or attain the end of; to bring to a desired or required state. (n.) the final part; the conclusion ; Something that completes, concludes, or perfects; Completeness, refinement, or smoothness of execution; polish.
Well it’s finally happened. For the first time in over ten years I have written “The End” on a manuscript. This morning I wrote the final scene for The Outlaw Bride, nearly making myself late for work. I wasn’t lifting my butt from the chair until it was done. When I gave my writing priority two years ago, I couldn’t wait for this day. I didn’t envision it would take all of two years to get here, but since it had been about ten years since I wrote my last book, I suppose it makes sense I wouldn’t be able to just jump back in the proverbial saddle with all my newfound knowledge and whip off a manuscript in record time.
Either way, I’m glad it’s done. There is still the final read through to complete and a quick edit of chapters 23 to 29 to go through with my critiques. But then I’ll set it aside for a couple weeks to give myself a set of fresh eyes for that task. In the interim, I’ll start work on outlining D&B, which I’m really excited about. I love the rush of taking on something new, getting to know these characters and creating their story and their world. It’s like being handed a lump of clay and told to make anything you want out of it, no restrictions, no boundaries, just let your mind go.
In driving to work this morning, I reflected on what the past two years has brought me and I’m amazed by the journey. If someone had told me in the beginning this is what it would be like, I would have been convinced they were off their rocker. I never imagined picking up a whole new group of friends through my RWA chapter and my critique group. I never imagined have a wealth of people just like me, who shared the same mindset, the same goals, the same journey. Suddenly I wasn’t the only one on the path. Suddenly I made sense to someone other than myself. The knowledge gained has been invaluable and given so freely by others it’s created an amazing network of support I had no idea existed until I walked smack into the middle of it. There have been ups and downs, highs and lows, but overall the trip has been more than worth it, and finally, after more years than I care to count, I finally feel that I am on the right (write?) path.
I can hardly wait to see what the next two years bring, and for those of you who have been part of the journey, thanks for being there, you’ve made it entirely worthwhile.
13 comments:
Just don't let that tent float too far away from me now. I'll get there... someday. Apparently the cosmos has other things for me to take care of first, but the way I look at it, look at the wealth of subject matter I'll have at my disposal when I'm ready! woohoo!
gawd how insensitive of me... a big CONGRATULATIONS for setting yourself a goal and seeing it through to completion. I'm incredibly proud of what you've accomplished in the last year alone. Salut!
Yay Kelly!!!! Congratulations :-)
I'm telling you, Maxx, you gotta jump lanes. Thanks for the congrats - I can't wait til it's my turn to return the favor.
Yay, Kelly! I'm so glad you typed THE END. What an accomplishment! Now make sure you celebrate with plenty of chocolate.
Isn't it great to have the support of other like-minded individuals? That's the wonderful thing about romance writers. ;-)
After watching and listening to you I just feel like I know NOTHING. And I don't want to rely on you to teach me everything it took you a year to learn. That's just not right.
I do have that story I finished by convincing myself it was just a silly nothing to pass the time. Once I start thinking of all the rules my brain shuts down. You're inspiring me to go back and attempt an edit once again.
The 'rules' are easy, common sense kind of things. It's just a matter that you probably don't think of them until someone points it out and then it's like 'oh yeah, that makes sense'. It's not some convoluted process. You're a smart cookie, you'll master it in no time. It didn't take me a year to learn the right way to write, just that long to put them into use and make something out of it. But it's an ongoing learning process. Not just for me but anyone who writes. The pub'd authors in our chapter still say they learn new stuff all the time.
yeeeahhhh. You know me. I get overwhelmed and the whole process just shuts down. One of these days I'll just dive in and go for it.
Congratulations, Kelly! That's such a wonderful feeling. Now go and celebrate! Wahoo!
Kelly you've had a stellar go at it lately!! Kudos to you...you deserve it!!
Duh...that last comment was me. Forgot to sign my name!
Whoo hoo! Congrats on finishing the story, Kelly!! I knew you could do it!
so cool! Congrats. Isn't finishing the book the best feeling??
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