By Debby Giusti
Did you hear my big sigh of relief on Monday? I finished THE OFFICER'S SECRET, Book One in my new Military Investigations series. Most of the day was spent preparing the manuscript for mailing.
The final process of printing off the pages, ensuring my printer didn't skip or leave something blank, adding a cover page and cover letter and burning a copy to a CD takes times. Finally, when the pages were neatly collated, bound with rubber bands and carefully placed within a UPS envelope, I sent it off to my editor in New York.
Once a manuscript has left my hands, I feel a great sense of relief, which lasts about three hours. Then I start thinking about all the changes I COULD have made.
For the last couple weeks, I've been working on the suspenseful climax and conclusion to the story. Often I found myself breathless as I ran for my life along with my heroine. I killed a few people but saved some too.
During the crunch time, I stay up late and get up early. Yes, I have bags under my eyes and my back aches from too much time at the computer, but I feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. I've created these characters and taken them on an exciting adventure. But now I have to say goodbye.
Usually I need a few days to unwind and catch up on all the things I've let slide--like housework! Then it's time to start working on the next book. Sometimes I'm not ready to create new characters. Seems I still want to spend time with the old ones that have become good friends.
How do you feel when a book ends...a book you've written?
Wishing you abundant blessings,
Debby Giusti
Visit me at http://www.seekerville.blogspot.com/ today to learn about Gadgets Writers Love.
4 comments:
Hey Debbi, I know how you feel. When I finish a book, I feel a bit breathless, a whole lot relieved and anxious to see the final product. It's crazy, but after 2 years, a plethora of deadlines and 12 completed (but not on the shelves yet) books, the feeling never gets old. There's just something euphoric about declaring, "I'm DONE!" A high all on its own. Who needs drugs?? LOL.
Thanks for sharing!
Meant to say, "not ALL of those completed on the shelves" some are. Okay, clear as mud. Sorry.
Lynette,
Congrats on all your books! Glad to know I'm not the only one who feels out of breath! Do you think it's because we write suspense? :)
LOL, Debby. YES! I think that's it. We constantly have to stay at that high level of tension. It's exhausting!
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