Almost there

I suppose it is only appropriate that on Talk Like A Pirate Day, my site had been hit by web pirates such that I could not make a post of piratey goodness. :p

I have at last managed to chase them off, which gives me the chance to announce that I am officially just one final scene away from completing the Prayer of the Handmaiden manuscript. My hope is to get it finished this weekend… I wanted to work on it this week but got very little done due to workplace issues and a particularly miserable attack of insomnia that has left me foggy-headed for days. Anyway, the last scene of a book is probably my absolute least favorite to write. For me it’s the hardest, because I keep wondering if it’s satisfying enough. I really like my neat and pretty fairytale endings. “And the peasants rejoiced! The End…” But what if it’s TOO neat and pretty? Sigh. Plus there’s a bit of sadness, after spending so much time with these characters, that I’m wrapping things up with them.

I’ve spent more time with Kade and Erinda than I have with any of my characters yet, because this book has taken so long to write. I kind of miss them already. I already have plans for the next book in the series, though they’re not as clear as I’d like (and I want to know what’s going to happen next!!) but one thing at a time… I’m going to spend about two weeks editing up this first draft and then get it sent off to my publisher. (*gulp*) and then it will be time to wait and see if it gets approved, followed by several months of editing work. In the meantime, of course, I may try to get a head start on Ithyria book #3. Which promises to be very different from the first two…

 

I don’t think I can give enough thanks to all the amazing folks who have emailed, tweeted and posted comments here in anticipation of this new story. You guys inspire me every day, and even when I am feeling like I’ll never get through my projects, you’re the reason I manage to find time to keep them going. So much love to every single one of you.