Firstly I want to send out a huge congratulation to those who did manage to finish the Challenge. You are awesome! Secondly, I just want to let you know that the blog will return to normal. I will start my follow backs again as well as checking out the blog posts of people who comment on my post.
I also want to shout out my many thanks to everyone who awarded me this month. I feel very honored and will pass the awards on soon.
And finally, I want to remind you that GPF returns as of next week. For those of you who are new to the blog, anyone who clicked follow to my blog can book a Friday to write a writing/literary world related post. No other rules really. Better hop fast though, those Fridays can disappear fast. E-mail me at mishagericke(AT)gmail(DOT)com if you want to book a Friday. Oh yeah, since this is a cause of misunderstanding, let me just say that promotional posts/interviews can take place on any available day. So if all the Fridays in your blog tour are booked, contact me and we can arrange something else.
All righty then, let's get to the real post.
Now, as you might have read/just noticed, I finished my rewrite on Monday. It was a feeling of accomplishment that I can't describe. In fact, I don't think I can even compare it to anything.
But... I could have finished the book on Thursday already. So why didn't I? Why didn't I just push to the end and get it done in a really impressive time?
Two words:
Separation.
Anxiety.
Think I'm kidding? I've spent three years going towards four on this story - just to get it written. In that time, I met characters. I nurtured them. i made and broke them. Fact is (and this is going to sound weird) this story had as much influence on my life as I did on its character's lives.
Yes really. Even when I'm doing something else, part of my thoughts will always concern my story. The percentage that that part takes up of my entire thought process is what determines how much else I can do. Writing became the frame to my day. I made time to write. I read Bible before I start writing. After I wrote for 45 mins to 1 hr, I get dressed. After 1000 words, I write my blog.
That's just my mornings.
So I think you can understand that the thought of suddenly not having something prioritized like that can feel a little off.
Not to mention how much I miss following my characters around. They're still there, but now that the story is done, they're quiet. Another thing to get used to.
So how do I deal? Well, firstly, no amount of fear was going to keep me from getting my book done. 3.8 years is more than enough. Also, the fact that this was book one in a series of four, so my characters will get a chance to go on more adventures.
But now... yes, the rewrite is done. But I'm about to face a new challenge: Edits.
Have you finished a book? Did you suffer from separation anxiety? How did you deal with it?
When I first finish my books my writing gets slower and slower towards the end, because I also have that separation anxiety. I don't want to leave my characters at the end. There's not really any way to get rid of the anxiety, all I can do is push myself to keep writing anyway.
ReplyDeleteAnd congrats again on finishing the rewrite! That's so awesome!! :D
I've not yet finished my first novel.
ReplyDeleteI too have completed the A-z challenge and it feels great!
Duncan In Kuantan
Congratulations Misha. I'm working on another novel while I slowly query my sci-fi one. I'm about a third done with it.
ReplyDeleteMisha, we did it! Congratulations! I have an award for you!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations are all round today! Great job, Misha. I too have so many wonderful bloggers to follow now. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I'm one of those that doesn't want it to end!
ReplyDeleteBoy I understand about finishing that book. I'm in the last pages of my next WIP, and yes, I hit what I call a "plot trench" about 80 pages from the end, and ouch! Took a curve and now have to seamlessly get the cast back in line with the outline. My characters seem to want to break out. Rebels, one would say.
Not to worry, though. You and so many others have talked about the same thing this month. I'm in good company.
Congratulations on finishing the re-write, and on making it to the end of the A-Z Challenge!
ReplyDeleteYou separation anxiety is exactly what I'm hoping to have one day. I have yet to write a book, but I would love to find an idea and characters that I can mold into my life. Congrats on finishing the rewrite, and enjoy watching your book fly it's way into the world!
ReplyDeleteI feel that way when I finish a sermon series, particularly when we complete a book. I have spent some much time in the book and series I hate to see it end.
ReplyDeleteGregg Metcalf
Colossians 1:28-29
Gospel-driven Disciples
Having spent so much time with your characters you are bound to feel a sense of dislocation, if not loss, when you finally bid them farewell - it's natural. Certainly you will feel a little flat - but others will come in to take over your life, I'm quite sure;-)
ReplyDeleteGive yourself a hug. At least that's what I did after typing The End for the first time. Remember that sadness though when edits begin gnawing your energy because it makes the edits bittersweet (in turn a little easier to bully through).
ReplyDeleteI can imagine that you would get attached to your characters. You are their God after all.
ReplyDeleteMisha, thankfully you have blog-group therapy to rely on to get you over the hump! Congrats on the rewrite and the A-Z! Thanks for visiting me (when you could have gone elsewhere).
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on finishing your rewrite! And the A-Z!! And the awards which we're yet to see!!! :D :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit! :) :) Loving your blog.. :)
Misha, congratulations on finishing your rewrite and the A to Z challenge! Both are great accomplishments!
ReplyDeleteYay, you made it through to Z..... lol, I've been watching the titles in my blog list and waiting for the blog to go back to normal. Not that some of the topics weren't interesting, but still, you know. Have to give you an A for sticking to it and doing such a great job though.
ReplyDeleteBook Owl, it was the same with me. Nothing helped the anxiety except for actually finishing the story.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finishing the challenge, Duncan! Good luck with finishing your story. :-)
Michael you're progressing nicely. What is your current WiP about?
Awesome award, Elizabeth!
Sharon, the same here. A to Z challenge has been a lot of fun, but I am looking forward to not being limited by the alphabet. Good luck with getting your characters back in line.
Thanks Julie!
Fa l'Americana, I hope that you'll start writing soon. It really is a great experience. :-)
Gregg, that's true. Right now, I actually can't imagine that any of my other ideas will be better than the one I just finished.
Jabblog, that's exactly how I feel. I'm also stuck in a place where I have to keep them close while trying to ignore them, because I want to write sequels if I get this one published.
Steph, thanks for the great advice. I will definitely be looking forward to that bitter-sweetness.
Hehehe Marjorie, that is such an interesting way to look at it. And true. :-D
Hehehe Chuck, blogging is definitely helping me. Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks Pencil! I hope you enjoy it.
Thanks Jamie!]
Thanks Joe. I have to admit that I'm glad to be done. I didn't find the blogging aspect of it tricky, but I was looking forward to my old spontaneity again. April was the first month that I ever planned the majority of my posts.
I have the two words in common with you, so I invite you to favoritewords.com, it's an awesome concept.
ReplyDelete