I’ve finished the book, so what’s next?  In this case, it’s a waiting game.  The book I just finished is actually connected to a book that I’ve submitted to a publisher.  Book 1 is still under consideration.  I’ve let the editor know that Book 2 is waiting in the wings, so now there’s nothing I can do but wait.  The next step will depend on the response.  I really like both books.  I’m hoping that readers will be able to read them soon.

For the past few days I’ve been getting caught up on all the other things that need my attention like yard work, a broken refrigerator, family birthdays, and I hear there’s an eclipse coming?  It feels good to get back on top of things, but as I was weeding my flower garden, I really wished I was inside writing.  (Mainly because I hate weeding, and not because a particular story was calling to me.)  But a story will soon catch my attention, like they always do.

Until then, cross your fingers on my books’ submissions.  Is there anyone else out there who hates waiting?  How do you distract yourself to get through it?  Any recommendations?

Did I mention I really do like how the book turned out?  After all the ups and downs, I like how it came together.  On final read-thru, I couldn’t even remember which parts gave me problems.  I like the characters, and I like them as a couple.  I’m ready to submit!

I finished!!!!  The story has been proofread, and I revised the synopsis.  That’s a 5-10 page summary of the story.  In my case, I wrote it first before I ever got into the book.  There was a plot twist that I added while writing the story, so it needed to be updated to match.  I also wrote a story blurb, which is a condensed story description that authors use to “pitch” to publishers.  It’s very much like the story description on the back cover of a book.  So if you think about it, I have a one-paragraph description of the book, a five-page description of the book, and the book itself.  Done, done, and done!

Total word count = 49,727
Goal 50,000
99.5% complete = Close enough = DONE!

I’ve finished editing the last chapter!  Yaaaaaaaayyyyy!  Now I just need to go through and proofread everything.  The pressure is off.  I’m so happy.

I wrote the first draft of the last chapter three days ago, but ohmygosh, I’ve slowed down to a crawl trying to edit it. I… just… wanna… finish!!!

Chapters 9 and 10 are finished.  Only one more chapter to go, and it’s a short one.  I just need to tie up the loose ends and secure the “happily ever after.”  I’m so close to being done, I can almost taste it.

Total manuscript count = 47,038 words
94% complete

I’ve written about the stages of writing before. When I start a book, I’m on a high. I think I’ve got a really cool concept and awesome characters. Then somewhere (the evil Chapter 4), things start to become difficult.  I’m past the setup portion of the story. I’m beginning to learn that my characters aren’t perfect and, usually, aren’t cooperative.  I’ve usually got clear ideas for later sections of the book, but getting there is a problem.  Somewhere along the line, though, things become brighter again.  After thinking the book is a total piece of doodoo, I begin thinking it’s okay.  Maybe even pretty good.  And then, the words really start coming and it’s a a mad dash to the wonderful ending I’ve envisioned since I wrote the words “Chapter One.”

Something different is happening with this book, though.  I was coming out of the middle portion and thinking that things were gelling together nicely.  I had a path plotted out to the finish line.  The words should be flowing, and in some ways, they are.  I’m getting words.  A lot of them, actually, and they’re coming quickly.  It’s just such an effort right now.  It feels mechanical instead of exciting.  I’m nearing the ending, but gaaaahhhh.  I just wish it was over.

That’s not a good feeling when you’ve put so much time into a book.  I’m confident that things will get better.  I’m just facing the blank page syndrome.  I hate the actual process of getting words onto paper (or the screen).  Chapter Nine’s first draft is complete, but it’s very rough.  I think all the components are there, but it needs a lot of editing. Fortunately, that’s what I do best.  I can add in the descriptions and the emotions and all the little things that make a chapter go smoothly.

I just wish I could be more excited about it.  Maybe I just need sleep.

Chapter 8 is done.  I began this project saying I was going to be sprinting, but it’s been more of a slog.  Until this chapter!  Things always go better when I have the story line plotted out in detail. I’m gathering all the different threads of the story and joining them back together. The story  is coming together to the climax, but little do our characters know that there’s still a bit more trouble ahead.

Chapter 8 word count = 4100
Total word count = 39,450
Story is 79% complete

Chapter Seven is in the can, and it’s got one of the hottest love scenes I’ve written in a long time.  Woohoo.  The closer I get to the end, the happier I’m getting with this story.

Chapter word count = 4890
Total word count = 35317
Percent completed = 70%

Yes, I like statistics.  Do you track progress on your big projects?  How?