Although definitely with a whimper, not the bang I was hoping for. The odd thing is, most of the way through this draft I've been sure about how the story would end, but when I got there it didn't work as I'd expected, it just faded inconclusively away. I think that's because, as with most of my first drafts, the story isn't yet pulled tightly together. It's also shorter than I really wanted it to be, but I'm not particularly worried about that because I always underwrite in first drafts.
I stopped writing in the middle of last week and felt flat and frustrated for a few days. But now I'm getting used to the idea. The prospect of a few weeks off writing fiction (I won't be writing shorties either) really appeals, which is unusual for me, so I reckon I need a break. I can also feel a flicker of excitement at the thought of printing out, reading through and starting a proper edit. That'll be in mid-January.
I'm even, slowly, beginning to feel a little bit proud of myself. Looked at one way, I have a first draft which is a bit rubbish. But then, most first drafts are a bit rubbish. Looked at another way, I have a world, a cast of characters, a central storyline and 87,000 words which I didn't have nine months ago. And actually, I think that's pretty good.
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16 comments:
Great news. And indeed, something to be proud of! You can't write a better draft 2 if you haven't written draft 1, after all.
That's amazing. I'm so impressed. Well done.
That's brilliant. Now you've created that world you've got something to work with. Congratulations.
I think feeling flat after finishing a draft is more common than you might expect. I get that as well. In any case, well done! That's a great achievement.
My first drafts are often really zeroth drafts, since the plot is still being unearthed. I tend to overwrite rather than underwrite though.
It's very good. Really excellent news. Congratulations.
Well done!
Enjoy the break :)
Pretty good? It's excellent!
Enjoy your break and you'll be back all fired up in the New Year.
And have a lovely Christmas!
Yay, well done on the first draft! And Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Hey, well done! DOn't undersell yourself - 87,000 first draft is pretty damn good. Be proud - we are!
Only what I would expect from you. Now's the time to chill, relax and spoil yourself and allow your batteries to recharge. You have my permission to let it all hang loose and have a very happy holiday.
Yay congratulations! I know what you mean about feeling a bit flat though - hopefully you'll be raring to go after a little break from writing :o)
I think it's more than pretty good - I think it's fantastically good and all in nine months. Huge well dones to you and enjoy your time off.
If you've got frissons of excitement now about going back to it, you'll be chomping at the bit by January - brilliant.
Wow, you did it - well done! I'm a lot proud of you and will be listening out for the sound of your red pen scratching away through the ether...
It's bloody good! Congratulations. Here's to time off (for good behaviour? ;)) over Christmas! :)
So proud ... I am and you certainly should be. Give that woman a gold star. Give her three ...
A Happy New Year to both of you and may you reap your rewards in 2011!
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