The Last Stages of the Journey

The last chapter, the last page, the last word – out there in the world! I am carefree!  Or, at least, I was for a few minutes. But what do I do now? Go straight back to work on the two, no, three, WIP’s? Or have a break and cogitate a little more? Or have a holiday? (what is that, by the way?)

No. Stop. An author works every day – it is a colossal task to complete a major project, and even if you finish one – will it earn its keep? Not likely. The average income for an author (in Australia) is $13,000. I think I should get straight back to work.

Two major projects, each at a stage requiring further edits and then another period of time to ‘brew’ before finalising/publishing. Do I put these two on the ‘pre-order’ phase? Or wait a little longer, until I am sure they are good enough? Or until I have completed the paperback version so I can put it all ‘out there’ at the same time?

So many questions, so many tasks, so many things to consider. Really, all I want to do is write stories. All this ‘business’ stuff makes my eyes water, gives me a sore back (and hands – too much mousing when uploading, checking, re-checking etc.) and makes me want to scream (at the computer, mainly – but sometimes . . .).

Or, and this sounds like a really good idea at the moment, should I commence the serious detail work for the next Journey novel (A Dragon Dream)? So exciting. Have the bare bones, a basic outline, but the detail! Love the detail! Get the hands in, get dirty, get things moving, swirl them around – play and push and shove and shovel!!!

Yes. No.

Put the basics in, let it sit. Complete the tasks that need completion. So, what does that mean? It means I go to work on The Third Moment (or maybe Unknown Sins – we’ll see in a minute). But work it is – don’t leave unfinished work behind you – nightmares ensue! Don’t take the path of most excitement – that’s for the readers, not the writer. Learn the craft bigger and better for each project. Listen to what the readers have to say, absorb the reasoning – remember, the reader owns the words/feelings/impact of the story as they read it – and keep putting one foot in front of the other (or finger/s on keys, ad infinitum,) until the – no, until THE END – of that project.

Will I see you on the other side? I hope so.