Book is done…on to a new project!
I finished the editing of The Opal Hunter yesterday (yay!) and have subbed it. Commence the worrying and fretting phase of that book. Here are my typical frets:
1) It’s boring.
2) Oh, damn, I should have done…this, this, and this.
3) Did I get the ending right?
Worry number 1 usually happens because I know the story too well. To me, there are no surprises in the plot, nothing to discover, so it seems dull as dishwater. Usually, I am pleased with the sex scenes, but the stuff supporting the sex…? Well, I freak out that is just BORING.
Worry number 2 happens a day or so after I’ve finished the edit. I start to reflect on the book as a whole…little spots where I could have added more description. More character. More conversation. I also think it builds on worry number 1…boring must mean I could have written more stuff to make it exciting.
Worry number 3 comes when I start wondering if I tied up everything as well as I think. Did I make the hero and heroine finally coming together realistic? Satisfying? Do the last few lines make you say, “Now that was a nice ending” or “WTF? Where’s my payoff?”
But I’m not changing anything. I’m done with the book. I was satisfied with it yesterday, so I’m sure it’s fine. That is what I keep telling myself!
New Project
I’m definitely going to work on the werewolf mini-series next. I got a bunch of good ideas for it today…a little plot thingie came to me, which helped me decide what my heroine does for a living. And then it gave me the idea how to start the ball rolling. So, I think I will work a bit more on this worldbuilding thing I have to make sure I’ve got it pretty straight in my head about all the rules for my books. And then I’m ready to WRITE! YES!
I’m very excited about these books. I have no idea how long they will be, but they are going to be very dark and sexy. At least, that is the plan right now.
Kris
April 10th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
I am totally with you on all three of those! Expecially number 2. I’m still kicking myself today for not adding/fixing things before I subbed. I keep wavering back and forth between “It sucks and they’re totally going to reject me” to “But it’s a good story right so they should like it…right…maybe…Oh GOD!” Sorry…got a little dramatic there but I know the feeling.
Anyway good luck on writing your new stories. People keep telling me that when you sub start working on something new so you can get the fact that you’ve subbed and now your life is totally hanging in the balance off your mind…I have to tell you it hasn’t worked for me yet.
April 10th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Yes, number 2 is a killer. Because it really could include worry number 1 AND worry number 3! I’m trying to just keep my mind off of it as best I can. Seems I get better at it with each new book I finish. Probably because I have the same worries every time, and yet I’ve managed to publish all 4 of these books. I must be doing something right!
Kris
April 10th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Just keep reminding yourself of one thing. YOU. ARE. GOOD. Just when I’m about to let #1 and especially #2 take over my mind, I realize “hey! how many other people out there have been published?” I must be pretty good. And I move on to the next project and don’t look back. I definitely have my days of self-doubt, but they are getting fewer and further in between.
April 10th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Thanks, Dee, for your encouraging words. I think ALL authors need a positive voice in their ear from time to time.
Kris