Reaching the end of a draft is such a rush. After being lost
deep in edits for weeks, in this case edits of my fantasy novel The Crystal Tree, coming out the other
side is an amazing feeling. Racing to hit a deadline that flashed past, lost in
the rush of creating order out of chaos, struggling to find just the right
words to convey the actions, emotions, and beauty of the moment. And then
reaching the end and the final words, sitting with fingers poised over the keys
as I wrestled with the all-important last paragraph. Hitting ‘Save’ for the
last time and knowing the draft is finished.
There’s no feeling like it.
It’s hard to describe the feeling of being finished with a
draft, whether it’s the first or the ninth. Somewhere between exhilaration and
exhaustion if I had to try. And each time has its own moment of pride,
something in particular to be proud of having done. This time for me, it’s
knowing that I’ve finished a ninth draft. I’ve stuck with a book for five
years. I’ve finally pulled it into a good enough shape that I can send it out
to some amazing people for beta reading, to help me find the story again in the
maze of words that is all I can see now.
It makes me wonder what it would be like to finish it for
good.
What will it be like to close a document and know that the
story is done, after all the years of rewriting, reimagining, editing,
re-editing, are over? To know that my book, my creation, is ready to go into
the hands of readers? That maybe it might end up sitting on someone’s bookshelf
(certainly on mine) with other published works? What is that feeing going to be
like to know that the thousands of hours I’ve poured into learning my craft,
practicing it, perfecting my words, have finally resulted in a finished
product?
I can’t imagine it. But I think it will be amazing.
Congratulations on finishing your book! That's so great! I know you can make it to the end of this process. Good luck and congratulations again!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I'm still in the slightly hungover state from all that editing, but it's such a good feeling to be one step closer to being done.
DeleteWow. This...this is beautiful. I just finished writing the first draft of a sequel of mine a few weeks ago. I wrote the last sentence, then sat back and realized that I only had one more novel to write in this trilogy, only one more new adventure with these characters.
ReplyDeleteI have no words. This literally spoke to my heart. Thank you <3
audrey caylin
Those are the best, most breathtaking moments, when you realise just how far you've come, aren't they? I think they're all the better because for most of the time while we're writing, it's hard to see if we're actually getting anywhere. Congratulations on finishing your sequel! That's a huge achievement!
Delete9 DRAFTS?!?!! you're amazing. wow. Ive stuck with a story for 4 years and produced 4 drafts. 9 in 5 years is just insane. I cant even imagine what you must feel like.
ReplyDeletesometimes I wonder if I'll ever be able to set my novel down for good, you know? like after working on something for so long, it just feels like a part of you. I dont know who I am if Im not working on my book. you get me?
congratulations on finishing draft 9. you're a queen.
Haha, exhausted and energised all at the same time. It's been a monster to wrestle into shape, I'll give it that. The first couple of drafts were complete rewrites. And there were several moments in there were I considered just throwing in the towel and walking away. Except I never could quite. It's so good to finally see it coming together into a proper book at last.
DeleteI know exactly what you mean. Especially when you've been working on it for literally years. The idea of having to set it aside, admit that it's done, is terrifying. For me, scarier than the idea of never finishing is the idea of the book being done and showing it to people without being able to say 'it's just a work in progress. don't judge it too harshly'. It'll be so worth it when we're done though! We'll get there!
This is so gorgeous. I can't even imagine how incredible that feeling must be.
ReplyDeleteThe feeling of finishing a draft is amazing. The feeling of finishing a whole book is unimaginable!
DeleteAsjfhlkdsjf this is so amazing. I can't really fathom finishing a project right now. I've never got anything beta-ready yet, but I'm getting close and that's exciting enough! To finish for good? I think I'll cry a lot. But they'll be a mix of tears. A little happy, a little sad. And very excited :)
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying your novel so far! Can't wait to read some more tonight :D
That is so exciting! Being beta-ready is a huge milestone. Congratulations on being close. I think, by the time we get to close the cover for good on one of our own books, we'll deserve those tears. It's a huge achievement! Aw, so glad to hear you've been enjoyed it.
DeleteDraft 9? You must be a wizard, Imogen. Congratulations! This post spoke volumes, and I can only imagine your elation right now. All of the hard work, restless nights and emotions and doubts....well done for ploughing though. I'm really proud of you.
ReplyDeleteI wish I was a wizard. Then maybe this book would write itself! I'm definitely still feeling the elation. Though I kinda miss the book at the same time? I just want to be back in the story, polishing and fixing it, even though it's with betas. It's time to draft the sequel though, so I shouldn't be having withdrawals for long though! Thank you so much!
DeleteCongratulations!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Natalie!
DeleteFinishing is a wonderful feeling, though I never feel quite done until something is published then I can't touch it anymore haha. Congrats!
ReplyDeletestoritorigrace.blogspot.com
Haha, I totally get that! The urge to keep editing and improving is. Just. So. Strong!
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