Good/bad, yin/yang, push me/pull you. Balance.
Teeter: I've written about downward mobility and managing expectations here. Fun stuff, you know.
Totter: I finished Draft One of my manuscript over the weekend. Now on to writing the query letter, searching for agents (Thank you, Adam!) and editing. Separately or collectively, those sound like massive jobs, but the truth is this: having finally finished writing this story, really feeling like I've told the tale, that is the biggest thing of all. When I wrote the last two words and thought Yes! That's it! I cannot tell you how accomplished I felt. And accomplished is something I've been running low on lately. Funny - this completed manuscript turned out to be the one tangible thing MathMan could point to yesterday when I did indeed stand on the metaphorical ledge and threaten to jump.
And so what if it goes into a box and is shoved to the back of the newly cleaned closet?
I've proven to myself that I can finish something. And that, my friends, is worth every word.
Congratulations, Lisa! I'm over the moon happy for you on this. The feeling of accomplishment is what drives us forward and keeps us trying to re-experience it. Our Life-force. And ... as someone who struggles with this herself... CONGRATULATIONS ON TAKING TIME TO REVEL IN THE FEELING!
ReplyDelete(btw, can't wait to read it.)
Congratulations. Now that you've had a few hours to relax in, it's time to start the next one.
ReplyDeleteWAHOOOOOOOOO!!Congratulations!!!!! you have accomplished something many only dream of.
ReplyDeleteI raise my cup of coffee to you in a toast to your manuscript and look forward to seeing a signed copy on my desk very soon!
Wait. You're a libra?
ReplyDeleteGood for you Lisa. It must feel great to gaze upon your completed MS. Does your thank you to Adam mean that you already have an agent! That is so cool.
ReplyDeleteOh, Lisa, I'm so thrilled for you! Not only do you deserve that feeling of accomplishment -- but the world deserves to read your work. It better not end up in some drawer or closet, locked away.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, my friend. Crossing my fingers for your perfect agent who "gets" you & your sensibility to come along right on schedule. :)
Major Congrats, Lisa. I trust it will do well.
ReplyDeleteYou bet it is pal! Hang on to this feeling, relish it, celebrate it. It's what you worked so hard for. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteYou certainly earned the right to roll around in that sense of accomplishment. I'm so happy and excited for you!
ReplyDeleteDon't give up on the dream. It's your's, and I can't wait to attend a book signing!
Congrats! Finishing your manuscript is a huge accomplishment! Keep moving forward.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! When you figure out the Query letter will you give me lessons?
ReplyDeleteJeepers, you do that and write a post for the Magpie?
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Tengrain
Sweet. This is good news and I'm happy for you. Every step forward brings you closer to your goals.
ReplyDeleteHURRRRAAAAAYYYYYY! finishing a first draft...blissful! I know exactly what you mean about finishing something!
ReplyDelete(also I'm married to a pisces...libra can't be any worse)
email me if you need a beta reader...(though I'm kind of a hardass, ha.)
(okay, lardass, same diff.)
Yes! Congratulations! That is HUUUUGE!
ReplyDeleteSuch an interesting blog. I just got signed on today, as a follower. And thanks so much for your "support" -- interested and understanding comments on my blog. Very helpful!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. Many people think about writing the novel in their head. You did it. Really, congratulations.
ReplyDeleteIt's mostly about standing on a rock in a stream and figuring out how to jump either to the shore or the next rock.
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous and proud all rolled up in one for you.
ReplyDeleteJust read this in the back of the book Eggs by Jerry Spinelli that he had written Eggs and then he didn't feel like editing it then, so bumped it to a box in the closet and moved onto his next novel, which was quite successful, and Eggs was just about forgotten about... until his wife said, "Hey, what about that one book, blah, blah. I wanted to read that one." He got it out, and pow, bonus book. Just read that a couple days ago.
Of course, this Aquarius with Gemini moon is gaga for Libras. I'll do anything they say. ;)
ReplyDeleteYOU DID IT!!! What an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteYOU DID IT!!! What an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Lisa! This is a very important accomplishment, one you have every justification feeling proud about. You go, girl!
ReplyDeleteWill you autograph copies for us when it's published? (I'm dead serious, here.)
That's why I always wear underpants.
ReplyDeleteWhat FB said, awesomely awful and awfully awesome.
CONGRATS, Lisa! *throws confetti* *pours champagne* *clink*
ReplyDeleteYour first finished ms is a big deal! :)
Def take time to roll in the glory of you an your accomplishment. Smear it all over yourself.
Then, just a heads up...sell no wine before its time.
aka
Do not query before you've revised and polished and had (trusted) CP's critique it, polish and revise some more...THEN work on the query letter (and polish it and have CP's crit it too) and do your agent research.
Take a break from it, read, watch movies, celebrate.
Then...
Welcome to your first slogging through Revision Hell, my friend!
YAY YOU!!
Love,
Lola
Congratulations, and best of luck moving forward.
ReplyDeleteNow that the first one is done (at least until you start editing for publication) I think you should get to work on the next. Second books are often better :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks to all of you for your wonderful, encouraging comments! Short on time today while life gets in the way. Back soon.
ReplyDeleteWhat can I say that hasn't been said? very cool, something to be proud of.
ReplyDeleteBig congrats to you, Lisa!! :)
ReplyDeleteSorry I'm a little late to the party--I don't do much blog-reading while on vacation, and now I'm back. (Boo hoo!)
Anyway, you ROCK! That's the point of this comment. :)