I don't even know how to say this so I'll just say it: I finished my novel yesterday.
WOOT!
I had set a word count goal of 8,000 words for yesterday but by lunchtime, with only a couple of thousand words under my belt, I was closing in for the kill.
A bit later I was writing a paragraph and suddenly I realized it was the LAST paragraph. It was a stunning revelation. I had thought that writing the end would require more planning, more, I don't know, fireworks. I didn't even know this was the last paragraph... until those last few words appeared on the page and a flood of recognition washed over me in a feverish chill ... I typed a period at 2:31 p.m.
And then I started to cry.
I must say, if you're going to finish a novel, I would highly recommend you do it at a novel marathon among friends who are also writers. They truly appreciate the momentous nature of the occasion. Within minutes of that fateful finish I was hugged and high-fived, wooted, photographed, cheered and applauded.
I drove home from the marathon in a complete and utter daze. I still feel that way.
What I need to know is how I should celebrate this milestone.
Champagne?
Cake?
Dancing?
Tell me, dear friends, what I should do to celebrate.
A caveat – I'm going camping today and won't be online for about a week, but I will anxiously await your answers on my return.
Thanks to everyone for being so supportive, everyone – I am so fortunate. Hugs and big sloppy kisses to all you all. oxoxo
 |
| My novel marathon t-shirt, which I LOVE. The caption, above, is what it says on the back. Be careful, ex-husbands ... you should never mess with a writer! |
Congrats on finishing! I'm doing a little happy jig for you
ReplyDeleteLove happy jigs!
DeleteYou look so cute when you're doing it, too!
DeleteCongratulations! I know that's a big moment for me.
ReplyDeleteBig, big, biggie-sized big!
DeleteCongratulations!!! Um, I think you should celebrate by going camping. Yeah, that's it. Go camping and relax, relax, relax. Maybe lift a glass of wine or two. Then when you get back home, you'll be ready to start editing. (Or another book!)
ReplyDeleteHmmm, good idea, Susan! And I am well into the editing - to me, that's the easy part! Thanks!
DeleteWell done! Be proud of yourself - you've accomplished what so many people say they're going to do but never actually do.
ReplyDeleteI vote for a good long nap, then some fun, however you describe "fun." :)
Nap! YES! Now you're talking, Madeline!
DeleteI actually did plenty of napping - after the marathon I was wasted for a couple of days.
DeleteCamping is a great way to celebrate. Your mind will be so clear for fishing! Congratulations girl, we knew you could do it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Debi! HUGS!
DeleteCongrats Cathy! How exciting for you. And I love the tee-shirt slogan.
ReplyDeleteYeah, isn't it the best?
DeleteCongrats and high-fives! Jezebel is wiggling with happiness for you. :)
ReplyDelete*giggling at the thought of Jezebel wiggling!!!!* Thanks Laura, you ARE my inspiration!
DeleteSo happy for you, Cathy! Relax and enjoy the feeling. Have a great camping holiday. I can't wait to read your novel...
ReplyDeletekaren
Thanks Karen!!!! See you at the grocery store!
DeleteI hope it does better than 50 shades of grey
ReplyDeleteNow there's a high hope! Thanks John!
Delete^5! Good for you! I wouldn't know what you should do to celebrate - I've never finished anything.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jeannie! (Hey, I'm notorious at not finishing stuff - this is nothing short of a miracle!)
DeleteCongratulations Cathy!!! I am proud of you!!! Not everyone can say their sister just wrote a novel!!! Can't wait to read it!!! Have a great vacation!
ReplyDeleteThanks Liz! HUGS!!!!
DeleteWow, that's so cool! Congrats. I wish I had a writers group like yours.
ReplyDeleteMove to Muskoka, Clarissa, and come on in!
DeleteCongrats
ReplyDeletethe Ol'Buzzard
Thanks Buzz!
DeleteAwww Cathy, that's such a great moment! How wonderful to have reached that goal, and among friends. So, I'm sure everyone has advised you how to celebrate: all of the above and then some. Then sit down and start (or finish) your next book.
ReplyDeleteI've sketched out the final chapters of my first novel, and I'll make that push soon to the finish line.
Cheers from the Missouri River, and best respect.
Cheering for ya, Mike! Thank you so much for your kind and heartfelt words. Hugs and best of luck with your own novel, Mike!!!! oxoxo
DeleteCONGRATULATIONS!!! So, the fun part is over and now the hard work begins... can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteOh thank you EvalinaMaria! Am working hard on the editing and then am going to shop it around... hopefully somebody out there will like it - if they don't, I'm going to self-publish!
DeleteCover your lawn with pink flamingoes, rent one of those light up mobile signs for the end of your drive way, take out an ad in the paper, indulge in something decadent....Whoo Hoo....celebrating over here for you.
ReplyDeleteHA!!!!!! BEST suggestion!!!!!!! You rock, Delores!
DeleteWell done, Cathy!
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what to suggest for a celebration - but make the most of it, because next comes all the angst of 'editing'! ;-p
Thanks Sue! You know what? Editing doesn't bug me - to me, it's the easy part. The hard part is getting it down in the first place! Am already about a quarter of the way through the editing! Woo HOO!!!
DeleteYou did it!!!! Well done!!!!! I'm so happy for you and you deserve the camping trip. When you get back, check my prior blog posts for an award!!
ReplyDeleteI will be over, JoJo, thanks so much!!!!
DeleteFantastic, how could it not be & the overwhelming relief must have also been quite the feeling? Celebrate? Who is throwing you the party? Congrats Cathy !
ReplyDeleteSeriously, there SHOULD be a party! And cake!!!!! (Always cake!)
DeleteI've been catching up on all your posts (luckily I subscribe by email!) after returning from holiday, and am still rushing about, but had to jump on to congratulate you. That is beyond words fantastic news. Totally exciting and so happy for you that you finished and had fun and had good writer friends there to celebrate with you. What an awesome feeling. :D
ReplyDeleteAwww, thanks so much Carrie! Means so much!!!!!
DeleteCongrats!!!!! Giving you a virtual chocolate cupcake as your reward for finishing the novel!
ReplyDeleteCatherine Stine’s Idea City
Mmmmmm... chocolate..... Thanks Catherine!
DeleteWoohoo! I always celebrate with BFF's, drinks and then I tank into post-partum depression for a few days. Ummm, but we get to do that because being a novelist means you're a little crazy, right!
ReplyDeleteA little??? Try a LOT!!!! :)
DeleteUm, I don't know how you should celebrate. I didn't do anything when I finished mine, although I did tear up the first time I held a copy of the physical book in my hands.
ReplyDeleteCongrats! Can't wait to read it!
Awww gee, thanks Andrew!!!!!!!!
DeleteCongratulations!!!!!! Big time. If I AM in it somewhere I hope you were kind.
ReplyDeleteHmmm... that depends on who you are, Anonymous!!!!;)
DeleteI'm really proud of you, Cathy. I knew that you could finish that thing off. Consider me one of those in line to read your book.
ReplyDeleteYou knew better than me, my friend. Thanks so much, Alan!
DeleteGood job. Well planned, there. Write a book and leave town. I'm anxious to hear more.
ReplyDeleteLOL!!! I thought so, Joanne!!! :)
DeleteReally, massive congratulations to you, Lady! That's great for you, something you've plugged away at so diligently and hard. You ought to celebrate in a way that helps you unwind, but if you want specific items, I encourage the goofiest jumping jacks you can perform.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome comment, John! I know you appreciate how much work it is because of your own ginormous efforts!!!! HUGS and goofy jumping jacks coming your way!
DeleteCongratulations! I know how this feels ^_^ If it was me I'd celebrate with a nice glass of wine ^_^
ReplyDeleteWhatever you do have fun and relax!
I know you do, you famous author-woman you!!!! Congratulations on 'Shadows!' I hope it sells like proverbial hotcakes!
DeleteCongratulations on your success, and your enjoyment of the friends with whom you shared it!
ReplyDeleteHope you have fun camping, and don't get carried off by mosquitos or eaten alive by block flies.
The black flies and mozzies were gone but, man oh man, those horse flies and deer flies were nasty. They were fine at our actual campsite but once you got off the beaten track they were like land yachts with a bite like Jaws.
DeleteCongratulations! I think you are doing the best thing after accomplishing such a fat--relaxing with family in the great outdoors. Peace...
ReplyDeleteI think so, too. Thanks Linda!!!!
DeleteHooray and holy cow! Congratulations Cathy. I think it's ice cream and cake time (my substitute for tying one on these days). And start shopping it around!
ReplyDeleteIce cream and cake are ALWAYS my favourite ways to celebrate. You know, I couldn't take cake camping but I DO have to go shopping today and I think cake may possibly be on my list....
DeleteOh, and yes, I will start shopping it out soon... I'm about a quarter into the editing process... I want to get it done as soon as possible because I can hardly wait to send it out to the wild blue yonder. It's been such a LONG road to get to this point!
DeleteWay to go Cathy! I can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sue!!!
DeleteIn awe and super happy for you!! Congratulations. I hope to know that feeling one day myself :).
ReplyDeleteAww, thanks Brooke! So good to see you here.. and YES, get writing!!!!
DeleteWoo hoo! Congratulations! Let the confetti rain!
ReplyDeleteThanks Deniz! Watch out, some of the confetti is getting on you!
DeleteCongratulations! Maybe camping and relaxing is the best way to celebrate ... and being away from the computer.
ReplyDeleteKathy M.
It was weird being without internet for that long, Kathy, but I did take my laptop and managed to do a fair bit of editing, which I actually thoroughly enjoyed. Nothing like editing in the great outdoors!!!
DeleteP.S.: Hope you didn't go camping in Algonquin Park, amid all the fires. We don't want 'smoked reporter" for our next meal.
ReplyDeleteHA! Yes, we did Rob! Luckily we weren't anywhere near the fires. Still, everything is so dry it's just a tinderbox waiting for a spark. We desperately need rain here.
DeleteCongrats! I would have cake. And pie. Perhaps a cake made out of pies.
ReplyDeleteOh Tim! A cake made out of pie sounds like GENIUS to me, my friend!
DeleteAn achievement well worth noting. Brava!
ReplyDeleteHow fantastic for you!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. I know you have tried this before.
Hope you were able to raise some funds for the reading program too.