Friday, April 26, 2013

What Do You Do When You Finish a Book?

by June Shaw

When you finish reading a book, what do you do? If you spend some time thinking about the book--its characters or their situations--then it was a very good one.

When you read the last sentence and mourn that there isn't any more, it's an excellent book.

When you finish reading a book and immediately go after the others, it's a great book. And what about one you think about for an extra long time--and you can't wait to go back and read it again? Gosh, wouldn't we all like to write ones like that?

What about when you finish creating a book? Does it feel the same?

Moments ago I finished my final revision on the dystopian YA I'm writing with my two young teen granddaughters who asked me to write one with them. I was happy. Thrilled. I walked outside and admired and smelled my flowers, especially the eight that bloomed today on my passion vine. And I saw the first hummingbird of the season. My jasmine is blooming. I'll need to clean and fill my feeders.

In the meantime I needed to write a blog today, so guess what I thought of? Finishing a book. And afterwhile I'll get dressed and go out with my squeeze who's been my boyfriend for years, but he's too mature (not old) for that term to describe him.

We'll join another couple and enjoy an adult beverage while visiting. And then we'll have a cup of seafoof gumbo, maybe with a seafood platter.

Okay, getting too hungry now. What do you do when you finish a book? I'd love to know.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

when i finished a book.I note some important point or line.


book publicity


June Shaw said...

I never thought of that, Shannon, but it's a good idea. I'll have to try it.

CatherineS said...

I review it. I started doing that when I began to read on the Kindle. I needed more 'closure' at the end of a book - it didn't seem enough to click the last page and move on! My review blog also acts as an anthology/record of all the ebooks I've read. Reviewing a book makes me think and reflect on what I've just read. It's surprising how much more I get out of it.

June Shaw said...

What a great idea, Cathy! Sure wish I'd thought of that before I started writing books. (Oops, that's true. I doubt that many people were blogging then: )

Marilyn Levinson said...

Hi June,
AfterI finish writing a book, I wait a week or two, then go over it. When I finish reading a book, I often review it on GoodREads. If I like the book, I tell friends about it and if I own the book, lend it out.

Jean Henry Mead said...

When I "finish" my books, I put them away for a few weeks, then take them out and read them as though someone else had written them. I then re-edit and polish until it's the best I can possibly do.

June Shaw said...

I normally do that after I've finished writing a book, too, Jean, IF I can let myself wait that much time.

Jackie King said...

I send the book to my first reader, who is both a saint and brilliant. She reads the book twice (I told you she was a saint). On the second time through she tags all the oopsies she can find. (Gotta make sure I don't kill someone twice.) Then she sends it on to her daughter, who searches for the grammar glitches.

After that I send it to my publisher who is (usually) already ticked off because I'm behind schedule.

Hugs to all,
Jackie

Jackie King said...

I send the book to my first reader, who is both a saint and brilliant. She reads the book twice (I told you she was a saint). On the second time through she tags all the oopsies she can find. (Gotta make sure I don't kill someone twice.) Then she sends it on to her daughter, who searches for the grammar glitches.

After that I send it to my publisher who is (usually) already ticked off because I'm behind schedule.

Hugs to all,
Jackie