For the past 756 days, I’ve been working on a novel. I wrote a first draft, and then I decided to completely rewrite it. This novel and I have been together through two birthdays and the first half of high school. We’ve survived physics together. We won Nanowrimo. It’s helped me make friends. I became a better writer by the end. But finally, I’ve finished.*
It’s hard to remember when “work on book” wasn’t on my to-do list. This was a much bigger change in my life than I thought it would be. I went through ten (possibly melodramatic) stages in the past week, which I’ve helpfully written down for you, complete with gifs so you can fully imagine my emotional rollercoaster.
*(OKAY, so I actually haven’t ~finished~ completely. I still have to do line edits, which involves checking all my punctuation, grammar, and focusing on making each sentence the best it can be. But I’m done with completely rewriting scenes, condensing characters, and changing the plot. This is more of a final check-through.)
1. Denial
THIS CAN’T BE HAPPENING. THE BOOK CAN’T BE DONE. WHAT EVEN IS AN ‘END.’
2. Relief
No more staying up until twelve to reach my word count. No more saying no to social events so I can finish editing. No more stressing over whether or not the dialogue is natural. It’s all done now!
3. Celebration
UM, I WROTE A BOOK?! I did it! Yay. I dedicated countless hours to making things from my imagination come alive for others. This mass of words, paper, and beauty came from me. And now it’s done! I’m going to call everyone I know and brag about it. Let’s eat a lot of cake and cookie dough ice-cream.
4. Sadness
WHAT DO YOU MEAN THIS IT’S OVER. I’ve spent so long with these characters, I’ve been a part of this world for so long. It can’t be done, just like that. What else am I going to obsess over when I should be paying attention in physics class? (When I say my book and I ‘survived physics together,’ I didn’t say we did well…)
5. Excitement
OMG MY BOOK IS GOING TO BE A BESTSELLER AND EVERYONE WILL LOVE IT. What shoes should I wear to my Ellen Show interview? I think I’ll wear a blue dress when I go to all the awards shows, don’t you think?
6. Self-doubt
Wait. What if not everyone likes the book? What if the characters are cliché, or the plot is boring? What if no one likes the book?
7. Fear
NO ONE CAN READ THIS BOOK. IT IS TRASH. I can’t write a book, what was I thinking? I must make sure no one reads this book OR ELSE.
8. Pride
Wait a second. I mean, it is pretty cool that I wrote a book. And some parts of it are pretty good. I mean, there’s that one scene I really like. I’m actually proud of what I’ve done.
9. Acceptance
My book is done. I have a distinct gut feeling that it is time for me to let go of this project. It’s not a perfect book, but I created it, and that’s pretty special. I’m at peace with my novel, and I appreciate all that it has given me, and I’m proud about what I’ve done.
10. Moving On
Ah…you know the best thing to do after you’ve spent a grueling two years working on a book? Take a long hot bath? Go to yoga class? Act my age and go to a party and relax for once? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
No.
The correct answer was, “Start a new book.” That’s right! I’ve already written a chapter of my new novel. Be sure to check out next week’s blog post for a little but more information about that….
Have any of you finished a book? What project are you currently working on? How long have you been working on your book? Let me know in the comments! Until next time, you can find me on Pinterest or Instagram.
I am presently sat at my laptop, fine tuning the third edit of my rather epic length novel. I’ve actually edited it already and am now in the process of checking for word repetition/crutch word usage.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Good luck! I’m elimating some crutch words now too haha it’s a tedious process
LikeLiked by 1 person
It really, really is! I’m getting bored now! Haha.
LikeLike
Go you! I love all the gif’s. My WIP is a dystopian YA novel that I started last February, and I thought I was doing the final edit, but now I’ve decided to add all these other plot twists that mean I’ll probably never finish it. My goal is to be done by the end of the year though!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you! Good luck with your projects, there was a time I thought I’d never finish but if you keep working hard you’ll get there. You can do it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so accurate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad you liked it!
LikeLike
Heyieee.. congratulations on reaching the finish line. Wishing you all the best!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! 🙂
LikeLike
I am so gosh dang proud of you!!! I’m gonna need a signed copy 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
YOU’RE MY FAVORITE OMG
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jolly good show!
I experienced the mild euphoria of finishing the first draft of a novel just about a month ago. If I’m a good and dedicated person, I may get the second sorted out before the next solstice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good luck with your book!
LikeLike
Finished any book feels great, but finishing your first is AMAZING. I remember the feeling all too well, and the feelings that follow that you so excellenty write about.
I’ve now got 4 books out there and a fifth with the publisher. I also have one self published book under a pseudonym, another waiting for the first rewrite, and one getting towards the end.
The books published with the publisher are 3 fantasy novels and a recipe book, and the self-pubbed is a historical novel.
Congratulations on your success. Are you going to self-publish or try for an agent and/or publisher?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! That’s such an impressive list. You’re so prolific. Congrats on all your books!
I think I’ll let this project rest for a while and then decide what to do with it. Thanks for reading!
LikeLike
Awesome! Just Do IT!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
These are all so true. Might even revisit a few of them a couple of times. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person