I've been anticipating the end of my first draft for about a month now. I could see the loose threads of several stories beginning to come together. Plus, the word count was creeping up. I even jumped ahead and wrote the last scene, as it sat in my mind, ready. Then, of course, I had to go back and fill in the rest.
So what's a writer to do once they've finished the first draft? Since reading On Writing by Stephen King, I've mostly been following his advice. "Congratulations! Good job! Have a glass of champagne, send out for pizza, do whatever it is you do when you've got something to celebrate. . . Take a couple of days off -- go fishing, go kayaking, do a jigsaw puzzle -- and then go to work on something else. . . How long you let your book rest. . . is entirely up to you, but I think it should be a minimum of six weeks." Stephen King, On Writing p. 196-197
So this morning, I finished my first draft. I turned to my husband (who was fortunately home) and said "I finished my first draft!!" He asked how many words. "70727!" I said proudly. I recorded the date, page number and word count in my little notebook with the words "1st draft complete. Ahh. Then he went to work while I celebrated with toast and a second cup of coffee (it was too early for champagne and pizza.) Then I added a few more details. Then I save it and emailed it to myself.
Next a nice hot bath, a little read, a nap on the couch and another little sentence at the end of the book. I think I'm ready to let it rest. In the meantime, here's a little warning that it's not a Jane Austen adaptation this time. However, I think my main character has many similarities to Elizabeth Bennet in that she loves dancing and isn't afraid to draw out a quiet man. Here's a little picture clue as well.
So what's a writer to do once they've finished the first draft? Since reading On Writing by Stephen King, I've mostly been following his advice. "Congratulations! Good job! Have a glass of champagne, send out for pizza, do whatever it is you do when you've got something to celebrate. . . Take a couple of days off -- go fishing, go kayaking, do a jigsaw puzzle -- and then go to work on something else. . . How long you let your book rest. . . is entirely up to you, but I think it should be a minimum of six weeks." Stephen King, On Writing p. 196-197
So this morning, I finished my first draft. I turned to my husband (who was fortunately home) and said "I finished my first draft!!" He asked how many words. "70727!" I said proudly. I recorded the date, page number and word count in my little notebook with the words "1st draft complete. Ahh. Then he went to work while I celebrated with toast and a second cup of coffee (it was too early for champagne and pizza.) Then I added a few more details. Then I save it and emailed it to myself.
Next a nice hot bath, a little read, a nap on the couch and another little sentence at the end of the book. I think I'm ready to let it rest. In the meantime, here's a little warning that it's not a Jane Austen adaptation this time. However, I think my main character has many similarities to Elizabeth Bennet in that she loves dancing and isn't afraid to draw out a quiet man. Here's a little picture clue as well.