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Monday 25 January 2010

We interrupt this programme...

... to make an important announcement…

I’ve FINISHED!

Draft one is in the bag, complete. All 34 chapters or so, all 70 000 words (a rough estimate – I haven’t counted) done in its entirety. I have written ‘The End’ and put it away to stew.

I’ve really enjoyed writing this book. The idea came in a moment of extreme boredom at work back in March last year and it has come together so smoothly – at least until the last few chapters. I’m still not sure about those, but I’ll see what I think when I reread it in a couple of months. It could be I’ve written 34 chapters of pure rubbish, or that I’ve got a half decent story, but right now I’m too close to it to judge. I do already know that I need to condense about the first seven chapters into maybe three. It’s a habit I have – taking way too long to get to the meat of the story. But I’ve condensed chapters before and it did make a great improvement. That was the book that’s with the publisher – still waiting on that one…sigh.

I already have an idea for a sequel to this one and another idea for a completely new story and another idea for a prequel to a book I’ve already written books two and three for. Where to start? I really wish I could sell a book for a six figure sum, give up work and just write. But I suspect that’s the dream of 99.9% of writers.

Meanwhile, I’ll plod on…

9 comments:

Angela Ackerman said...

Congrats! I know this is always such a high moment for me, finishing the first draft. I bet you'll be even more pleased with it after it sits for a month or two!

Lily Cate said...

Oooh, I have an early draft I'm still eager to get back to... but I'm trying to be patient and give it time to simmer.

I also write way, way too much in the early going. At least I know what to cut later!

Kate said...

Angela, I hope so. I always feel really down after I've finished and start doubting everything.

Lily Cate, that's the hard part isn't it, being patient and not rushing back to it? It's always better to go back later, I find.

Anonymous said...

Well done Kate. Looking forward to hearing some more of it. I can't remember whether it's supposed to be next Wed or Thurs. Can you remember?

Kate said...

I'm not sure. I'd forgotten we'd even discussed changing nights. I expect L will send out a reminder, but if not, I'll give her a ring.

Meg McKinlay said...

Congratulations, Kate! If you enjoyed writing it so much I bet it's better than you think. And I think that post-completion self doubt is part of the process. It certainly is for me (along with pre-completion self doubt, mid-draft self-doubt and all their many attention-seeking cousins!).

Kate said...

Thanks, Meg. Considering how regularly you're getting published these days, it's very comforting to know you get the same feelings!

Rena Jones said...

Congrats, Kate! I wish you the best of luck with it!

Kate said...

Thanks, Rena!