REACHING THE END

by June Shaw

I'm breathing. Just breathing. And actually moving my fingers over the keyboard right now to pen this blog. The reason I'm allowing myself time to just breathe--actually, relax and do whatever I want to, even if it's nothing--is because I just finished writing my newest book.

I finished writing it!

Okay, not really. What I've done is complete my second book in the upcoming series, and then I rewrote and revised and edited three times. Day before yesterday I sent it to an excellent beta reader, so it's in her hands now. I need to get it to my editor at Kensington by October 1. Soon after that I'll have to start on the third book in the twin-sisters series they want.

Once book number two, called DEAD ON THE BAYOU comes back to me from my sweet beta reader I'll need to revise it again before the 1st. 

And of course once my editor gets the book at the publishing house, I'll need to do bits of revising again.

In the meantime, I'm going to just breathe. Maybe take a nap.

What do you do once you finish a book?

juneshaw.com

Finished at Last!

by Jackie King

Finally. It’s finished!

I’m embarrassed to say how long it’s taken me to finish THE CORPSE WHO WALKED IN THE DOOR. Way, way, way too long. In fact, there have been numerous times when I seriously considered ending the struggle (No, not slit my wrists!) and starting a new project. But I didn’t. Mostly because I have a stubborn streak a mile wide. If you don’t believe me, ask my daughter, Susan. She’s accused me of this since she was in college…and she’s right!

Stubborn Streaks Are a Mixed Blessing. They make you stay in a bad marriage and put up with emotional and mental abuse. Just too damn stubborn to walk away.

They also keep you working, whether at your day job or at writing, when any more sensible person would have walked away. And both of those have helped pay my rent and utilities down through the years.

At more than one point I was ready to throw in the towel and say, “This book just can’t be fixed. I can’t connect the dots, not ever. Then I’d write a new scene or rewrite an old one. Unfortunately, I’ve always been a panster, not a plotter. That is another trait that I consider both a great blessing and a dark curse. Pansters can bring a freshness and excitement to the table. Even the author doesn’t know what’s going to happen next.

And it’s great fun. This is the drug that keeps me ‘writing the hard way.’ Plotters, on the other hand, don’t have to do nearly as much rewriting, fixing, and wondering where the deuce this particular scene should go in the story.

Anyway, I’ve been struggling for a very long time with this story. (I’ll share more in following posts.) Now is celebration time and I’m wondering why I have this feeling of anticlimax in my bones. Perhaps it’s because it’s plotting time. (And yes, I know I said I don’t do that, even though I do. Although in a convoluted sort of way.)

Me celebrating, both my birthday and finishing my book

I’ve emailed a copy of this almost-ready draft to my beta readers: Judy Rosser, her beautiful daughter Anna Dooley, and my darling DIL Amanda Horn. I may also send a copy to my niece and nephew. They’re off playing this weekend and I’m not going to bother them just now.

None of these folks are writers. They are that most wonderful and intelligent creature, a compulsive reader. God Bless them one and all.

More later,

Jackie

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.