Hey guys! Remember that book I was writing? Yeah, I finished it today. I mustered my inner ninja cyborg and hammered out about 37k words in 2.5 weeks (total word count = 58k). I totally could have rocked NaNoWriMo if I had more book to write. (This is actually why I don't do NaNoWriMo—I do not have a problem getting a first draft down. All the editing after that? Yeah...maybe I should do NaNoEdMo...)
That First-Draft-Done high is awesome. I'm basking in it, guys. Oh, I know the book needs a lot of work, but it's there. I have a whole book, start to finish. It even has a plot this time! Actually, I'm pretty proud of this plot. But I have been working on this book on and off for a year (not to mention I tucked the idea into my "you can't write that yet" pile like three years ago), so it had a lot of time to marinate.
I know we all have different relationships with the first draft. Heck, we have different relationships we every first draft we write, don't we? But I gotta say I still love finishing a book for the first time. I guess it's the closest a writer can get to reading their book like a reader—there's a discovery and excitement you can't quite get back in revisions. Oh, revisions can be rewarding, but it's not the same feeling, it's not holy-crap-I-just-wrote-a-WHOLE-BOOK. It's more like holy-crap-this-book-finally-looks-SHINY.
Do you want to know stuff about it? I've kept this book pretty close to my chest, especially in comparison to some of my other ones. I should at least throw out a few random facts:
• It's contemporary YA. Yes, I wrote a book with no creatures, special powers, or even explosions. I'm kind of questioning my identity, actually.
• There is a car named Puke.
• The MC secretly listens to James Taylor.
• There is a good girl, a bad girl, and a girl in the middle.
• There is a weekly Anime marathon night. And cat ears.
• Also, the MC plays football. He's a running back.
• Basically, it's a weird book, but what else would you expect from me?
*Happy sigh*
Did I mention I finished writing a book today? Oh, I did, huh. I really didn't think I'd be able to say that this year, and I am so, so thankful that I get to. I love my little, misshaped book baby, and I kind of hope that someday you'll get to see it all growed up.
Well done! I like cat ears. :)
ReplyDeleteI love this post so, so much!! Seeing how excited and happy you are makes me inspired and makes me want to finish my WIP even more! I hope one day I get to read it when it's "all growed up" :) And congrats!
ReplyDeleteWHEEEE!!! What fantastic news! Congratulations! :D I'm so proud of you. I can't wait to read it!!
ReplyDeleteDude, Steph, I'd be WAY too scared to give it you! You'd be all, "What is she THINKING trying to write this?"
ReplyDeleteHehe.
How exciting!! And I love football. :D Congrats, and Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing!! Congratulations! And genre hopping is always a plus...writing something out of the norm is exactly what paves the way for bursts of genius like that. Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteGood job! gratz on finishing the draft =)
ReplyDeleteSo looking forward to reading it some time in the future :)
Thanks awesome! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteAnd just in time to take a break for Thanksgiving!
What a perfect time to finish your first draft, right before Thanksgiving. Now you can just relax and eat.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Finishing a first draft always makes me giddy, too.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome news. I did try NaNo, and I suck this year. I'm only 29k words behind with 5+ days to go.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if I could do it ...
Who's kidding who? I work full time (and not writing).
Way to go you, though--37k words in 2 1/2 weeks is nothing short of amazing.
I am so jealous. Just starting out I am so far away from where you are. And I have to work on my blog, and work on my....
ReplyDeleteMaybe some day. Sigh.
Way cool!!! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteThe feeling of completing a book is amazing. Glad you're taking the time to enjoy it. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteYupi!!! I love that feeling. What did you do to celebrate?
ReplyDeleteActually, Alex, I went out to lunch with my dear friend Kiersten White. She just happened to be in town:)
ReplyDeleteOh, Congrats! I've only just recently discovered that high and hope to again in about three months time!
ReplyDeleteCONGRATS!
ReplyDeleteFinishing a book?
Best. Feeling. Ever.
So happy for you, Natalie - I hope the be there soon myself!
ReplyDeleteAnime marathons!!!!
ReplyDeleteYay!
I'm glad Squishy's in the world. Have fun prettying it up. After a well deserved break of course.
Congratulations! So proud of you! :) Squishy sounds fantastically quirky!
ReplyDelete-Kayla
WOW! So happy for you. And love your infectious enthusiasm!
ReplyDeleteWoohoo! You've been way busy!
ReplyDeleteWeekly anime marathon eh? I only watch anime on days that end with Y.
ReplyDelete:D
I just finished up my first draft about a week ago. You're right, there's nothing quite like that high.
Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteAnd cat ears are awesomeness. :D
Well done! I love the high from finishing first drafts, it gets you in such a great mood for the rest of the day. I can't remember finishing a first draft and not going to sleep with a smile on my face. Take a break! You deserve it. The novel sounds really interesting, keep us posted :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!! I finished mine last weekend and I am SO happy! I know exactly how you feel! But I also have a sense of...now what? Well, I know what...editing! That editing part is a little overwhelming though!
ReplyDeleteWoot! *high five*
ReplyDelete