Monday, March 5, 2012

Done!


Two of my favorite words in the English language are "chocolate" and "wine."

But I'm also really fond of THE END.

There is nothing like the feeling you get, as an author, when you type those two words at the end of the first draft of a novel. After months of hard work (and much pounding of head on desk, and sometimes some cursing, and almost always at least one point at which you swear you're giving it all up and becoming a spot welder) you have finally crossed the finish line.

DONE.

Of course, if you're an author, you know you're not really done. There are still edits and revisions, and critique partners to read it and send you suggestions for more edits and revisions, and in my case an agent to sent it to. Who will also give me suggestions for edits and revisions.

So, not done.

But still...

I just finished the first draft of Seeds of Change, my sixth novel, (which makes it my twelfth finished book, if you count my nonfiction--and you'd better believe I do). That's something to celebrate. I was aiming at 90,000 words (as you will know if you have been watching the word count meter) and ended up with 90,553. Of course, after all those edits and revisions...who knows.

Still, for right now, it's DONE.

*does happy dance*

26 comments:

  1. WTG, Deborah! Blessings for breezy edits/ revisions.

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  2. Woot! way to go. I am looking forward to reading it!
    NancyF

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  3. Congrats! Now comes the hard part...but I hope you're doing something fun tonight to celebrate.
    ;)

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  4. Wicked awesome news! So far I've only known that feeling 3 times, but each and every time felt so elating. I can just imagine the smile you must be wearing typing those two words. (Hugs)Indigo

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  5. Yay, you!!!
    (P.S. When I was turned down for tenure a few years ago, I told my parents that instead of looking for another job in academy that I was going to go to welding school. Or maybe theology school. :D)

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  6. Congratulations! I'm still struggling with my first one. I can't wait to say "The End". I can't wait to read this one.

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  7. Woot! Good work, lady!
    *happy dance*

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  8. Congrats! Now that you've made it to THE END, I think that "wine" and "chocolate" are definitely in order. :)

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    Replies
    1. And maybe a lobster :-) Some kind of treat for dinner tomorrow, that's for sure!

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  9. Thanks all! It's so nice to have you folks to come here and celebrate with :-)

    Although I did just get off the phone with my critique partner Lisa, who is wooting pretty loudly.

    Too late at night to celebrate today, but I foresee a bottle of champagne in my future!

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  10. Go, girl!! They do have a wine called Chocovine you may like though. Kinda tastes like a mellow Bailey's. It could be a "just got done with my book" kinda new tradition! ;-}

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    1. I love Chocovine--it's actually not too sweet. Might have to pick some up tomorrow :-)

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    2. I love it too, but I don't drink it any more due to the company not being able to tell me where the chocolate comes from. We don't eat chocolate that is from slave labor using companies. This includes child slave labor. I sure wish they would label it like they do fair trade. Maybe a sticker saying SL (slave labor)on candy bars and such would push companies to stop these practices. :-/ Then I can get back to drinking Chocovine myself!

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  11. Replies
    1. It is! And this book fought back almost until the end, so it is an even better feeling than usual :-)

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  12. Hooray! And you're right, "The End" is so fabulous. Congratulations.

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  13. Hurrah! I'm so excited for you, congratulations!!!

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  14. Woot! I don't care if revisions are needed-DONE is DONE in my book (even though, you know, I'm not DONE in my book.) But I'm happy you are!

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  15. Congratulations! The words "the end" are wonderful words.

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  16. Congrats! Yay! *throws confetti* Bring on the semi-nude dancing Old Spice Guy-type dancers! And OSG himself!

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  17. Thanks all! I picked up a bottle of champagne and some shrimp on the way home, and tonight will be relax and celebrate night. It feels weird not to be working, working, working on the book. I get to take a nap that is actually a nap, not just plotting out the next chapter. And tomorrow is my day off...and I might actually, I dunno...relax!

    Of course, I do have lots of things to catch up on...

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  18. Way to go!!!!! Congrats!!!

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