The End

[image error]There is such an amazing feeling finishing a book.   It's mostly elation.  The uncontained joy of realizing that yes, there truly was a beginning, a middle and an end to the story.   (Somewhere in the middle of every book, I start to believe that there isn't,  just ask JK or KO.)  But there's also an element of sadness.  These people that have lived in my mind for the past six or so months—who have kept me from sleep, refused to go the directions I've ordered, who've quite simply maintained minds of their own—these people are gone.  They've had their happy ending.  They're actually quiet.

And so I usually cry, anticipating the loss.  And do the happy dance because with much ado we've finally made it to the finish line all in one piece.   It's time for me to say good-bye (at least until revisions) and let them all go.   Sometimes, that's not such a bad thing, as there are already new people knocking at the door and wanting inside.  Demanding that their stories be told.  But sometimes I have had a particularly close relationship with the characters of a book, and I don't really want to let them go.

Of course with a series, like A-Tac, the beauty is that I don't actually have to.  I can visit them again as I travel the familiar roads in telling a new story.  They can make appearances, offer wisdom, or in some

DD and JK many moons ago

cases, mess things up a bit.  And they're still with me, at least in a small way.  In my life at least, I've never had quite the relationship with a project that I do in writing a book.  It's as if these people, at least in the moment, are my friends.

All of which makes me sound a bit crazy, I know.  But then I've been making up stories since I was a little girl and my father and I sat in the mall and made things up about the people passing by.  It was a wonderful game, and I've somehow managed to turn it into a career.  Not bad for an old girl with a tendency to exaggerate.

So join me for my happy, happy dance.  I'm DONE!  (My mother is saying, right now, that I am not a turkey and that the word I meant to use is finished –not done.)

How about you?  Do you have projects that seem to take on a life of their own?  Things that you think you'll never finish, but that when you do overwhelms you with relief, excitement and pride?  That term paper, that new kitchen, the scrapbook, the birthday cake, the party, the garden…so many opportunities—so little time.

 

 

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