celebrate the little steps along the way

I am so close to my first novel being written!  Admittedly, I still have a lot of editing to do, but the story is essentially done.  Just a couple of quick scenes, and some minor additions to other scenes, then the story is complete.

That will be my first major milestone for my writing.  I can’t say when my first draft was done because it was blended into my second draft.  That’s just the way I write.  We all find our own methods to get to that point.  Some people completely finish one draft, rough though it may be, before they progress on.  I can’t work that way, and that’s fine, Just as I’d never tell them not to write that way.

So, in celebration, I let myself stop writing just a little early today.  WIth the way that story is flowing, I’ll be totally done in a day or two, but the story wants a day or two for the last scenes to come to me.  My other novel is still going well, but didn’t flow as much.  That’s the way of it.  One story usually progresses faster on any given day.  I honour that and don’t force the one that’s lagging.  I give it an honest effort, but only write as much as is appropriate on any given day.

I’ll also celebrate each round of editing, and each major step of the publishing phase.  Many people want to write a book, but most people never do.  I understand why.  it’s hard.  Still, I love it, and I will keep writing, no matter what else I might be doing as well.  I’ve found my passion, and it’s sharing stories.  

I’m already preparing my next story to work on as well, so I can give this one a quick rest before beginning the next stages of editing.  A sequel to this almost finished book is forming in my mind as well, as I’ve set up for it in the first book.  There’s somewhere for her story to go.  Life doesn’t end after a big event (except our own funeral), so her story doesn’t end after the first book, either.

Happy writing!