I’ll never forget the moment I wrote the last sentence in my book and sent it off to my agent. Four years of writing and rewriting fell from my shoulders. There is a bittersweet moment of completing a work and the realization that the next work looms in its shadow. So in that short respite, I celebrated with a bottle of champagne 🍾!
I am someone who needs to complete and will move mountains to do so. I understand that some things take time, and should. I also understand that some things shouldn't be completed (flogging a dead horse!) However, I am curious about those who can't complete anything. Is there such a thing as fear of completion? I know a couple of cases and have even tried to help them complete, but to no avail. It's beyond my comprehension as I'm a completion junkie.
I have 'Value the process, not the product' in calligraphy on my office wall. It's taped above the window I stare out of when I'm trying to avoid working. I need the constant reminder.
I get my dopamine hit by finishing all the little pieces of a big thing. It's like crossing tasks off a list. This may be, in part, because I've finished a lot of things in the past decade+ and published none of them, so when I finish something, I am already preparing myself for it to languish. After I spend a ton of effort sending it out so it can be rejected.
Sounds depressing, I know, and yet, as I sit here typing this, I think of the novels I've completed and I love them. I love my characters and the worlds I've created. I can slip into those worlds in the blink of an eye. I made those worlds! That's my real dopamine hit and it's one I can tap any time I like. With the picture books, too! Maybe I'll publish these books, maybe I won't, but I have them in me. And then there are the ones I've not finished. I consider them to be in process because I ruminate on those. Finishing one day will be great, but in the meantime . . .
Yes to "finishing all the little pieces of a big thing" -- so much to that. Finishing, to me, is part of the whole. It's the moving on to the next, the return to process. Life itself being process, perhaps.
SO GOOD that you can think of all the writing you've done, completed ready for the world, and feel the richness of that.
It’s a good and tough question. For the ‘day job’ writing it’s easy: it’s done when the editor stops sending it back. It’s even doner when I get the printed book in the post.
For the fiction I write here, do I just carry on writing and posting first drafts forever, or do I ever go back and turn one or some into a book? Do I try to place said book with an agent and a publisher?
If so, why? How many first drafts do I forego writing to have time for that?
Other than the sketchiest of ideas, I finish and ‘publish’ here almost every story I start. I often write them ‘just in time’ for my Tuesday and Friday posting schedule. I enjoy the tightrope walk: will I lose the plot?
I don’t know whether this creative play will always be enough, but I’m still enjoying it thus far.
Thanks, Alison. I figure I will – until at some point, maybe, I'll decide to look back and revisit something, maybe with a view to formal publication. That may have to wait until the 'day job' is truly over, though. I've tried to do it a couple of times over the last two years, and had to abandon the attempt through pressure of work and, well, life.
Thanks as always for your encouragement and kind words.
I also understand the satisfaction of seeing a work through to print. It's what I've always done – what started me in the industry 35 years ago – so it's quite a revelation that I don't have to.
Perfect, your story. TY. Got it. Very helpful. Want to say more, but you put it in black and white. Hope to catch you again. Once again, TY!!!
I’ll never forget the moment I wrote the last sentence in my book and sent it off to my agent. Four years of writing and rewriting fell from my shoulders. There is a bittersweet moment of completing a work and the realization that the next work looms in its shadow. So in that short respite, I celebrated with a bottle of champagne 🍾!
I could write a post about the post-partum Thing that comes next.
It's never straightforward...
But the "fell from my shoulders" is incredible! And worthy of celebration, yes. Champagne to that--
A fine take on the writing process. At times, we start. At times, we fleet. At times, we reignite. At times, we complete. Blessings all.
LOVE this! Yes.
I am someone who needs to complete and will move mountains to do so. I understand that some things take time, and should. I also understand that some things shouldn't be completed (flogging a dead horse!) However, I am curious about those who can't complete anything. Is there such a thing as fear of completion? I know a couple of cases and have even tried to help them complete, but to no avail. It's beyond my comprehension as I'm a completion junkie.
"completion junkie"--I like that!
Thank you, Darlene--
Let’s celebrate!!!
I am indeed nearing the end of my YA novel! The end of the month is the deadline! Time to celebrate!!
Completing a project acts as proof. That I'm onto something.
And often causes a flurry of what I can do next.
It's enlivening to move on to the next, knowing you've closed the door before venturing out ...
Thank you, Amal!
I have 'Value the process, not the product' in calligraphy on my office wall. It's taped above the window I stare out of when I'm trying to avoid working. I need the constant reminder.
I get my dopamine hit by finishing all the little pieces of a big thing. It's like crossing tasks off a list. This may be, in part, because I've finished a lot of things in the past decade+ and published none of them, so when I finish something, I am already preparing myself for it to languish. After I spend a ton of effort sending it out so it can be rejected.
Sounds depressing, I know, and yet, as I sit here typing this, I think of the novels I've completed and I love them. I love my characters and the worlds I've created. I can slip into those worlds in the blink of an eye. I made those worlds! That's my real dopamine hit and it's one I can tap any time I like. With the picture books, too! Maybe I'll publish these books, maybe I won't, but I have them in me. And then there are the ones I've not finished. I consider them to be in process because I ruminate on those. Finishing one day will be great, but in the meantime . . .
Yes to "finishing all the little pieces of a big thing" -- so much to that. Finishing, to me, is part of the whole. It's the moving on to the next, the return to process. Life itself being process, perhaps.
SO GOOD that you can think of all the writing you've done, completed ready for the world, and feel the richness of that.
In the meantime, we go on...
Thank you, Cindy!
You reminded me - I have a story about huskies I need to finish... and just look how long it took me to send this note.
All in its own good time...
It’s a good and tough question. For the ‘day job’ writing it’s easy: it’s done when the editor stops sending it back. It’s even doner when I get the printed book in the post.
For the fiction I write here, do I just carry on writing and posting first drafts forever, or do I ever go back and turn one or some into a book? Do I try to place said book with an agent and a publisher?
If so, why? How many first drafts do I forego writing to have time for that?
Other than the sketchiest of ideas, I finish and ‘publish’ here almost every story I start. I often write them ‘just in time’ for my Tuesday and Friday posting schedule. I enjoy the tightrope walk: will I lose the plot?
I don’t know whether this creative play will always be enough, but I’m still enjoying it thus far.
I so love that you are enjoying it--it's good work, Steve. Keep doing what you're doing.
Thanks, Alison. I figure I will – until at some point, maybe, I'll decide to look back and revisit something, maybe with a view to formal publication. That may have to wait until the 'day job' is truly over, though. I've tried to do it a couple of times over the last two years, and had to abandon the attempt through pressure of work and, well, life.
Thanks as always for your encouragement and kind words.
It does take time--especially when you'd rather be writing!
I understand the choice to choose the writing.
I also understand the satisfaction of seeing a work through to print. It's what I've always done – what started me in the industry 35 years ago – so it's quite a revelation that I don't have to.