Thursday, October 6, 2011

Bittersweet Words


My list begins with: school, writing, rainy days, birthdays, and...

"The End."

I sit here, staring at my latest draft and lamenting that the story has nowhere new to take me. It's so fulfilling, and yet so sad.

"I'm done."

"Finished."

"That's all folks."

*sigh* It's kind of depressing really. Well, or it would be if I wasn't compelled by external forces (*glaring at my hubby*) to write this story into a series.

So, now that I've finished my WIP (again), I find myself going, "Okay, what's next?" Well, let me tell you. October is a busy month. I'll be critiquing and beta reading this book, and on October 24th, come back for the most awesome CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE bloghop ever!


Eighteen authors have come together to present the adventure of a lifetime, and you get to be one of our lucky readers. Look forward to seeing you there!

What's the worst/best "The end" you've ever met?

15 comments:

  1. The end IS bittersweet.
    I wish you lots of luck in the month ahead. Beta reading is a good way to find your muse for your next story. Have fun!

    ReplyDelete
  2. i will have to read the posts for that hop! sounds like quite a trip!

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a cute little blog hop image! Love the swirly colors of the sea creature. :) And congrats to you for finishing your WIP (again). I always feel a little sad when I finish. :) Well, the thing about a series is you can plot it out, but often there's not much use in starting it until you know if there's interest in the first one. Otherwise, you're spinning your wheels. So go forth and find yourself a Shiny New Idea!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Carol--I know exactly what you mean. Thankfully I have 3 completed manuscripts from separate series, and one of those HAS to take off, right? Maybe I should actually get querying one or two, but this one has a full request, and I only queried one agent...

    ReplyDelete
  5. I felt the same way when I finished my last novel; which was the first I actually wrote from start to finish. I had gotten into the habit of writing some of it every day, and then--poof--there was nothing to write anymore.

    It sounds like a fun bloghop!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Golden--I know what you mean. That first one's the kicker right?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Congrats on finishing. It's such a bittersweet moment when you type out "the end." Good luck with it.

    Can't wait for the bloghop!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. congrats on finishing the WIP again. I always find those inbetween times the most difficult when I've finished one project and looking for the next.

    ReplyDelete
  9. The best The End is probably The Harry Potter series. Most series get it wrong. I also like the end of To Kill a Mockingbird.

    I hate to say the books I didn't like the ends of. Sophie Jordan's Firelight left on a bit too much of a cliffhanger for me.

    There has to be enough resolution, but still mystery. Tricky balance, no?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Yeah, it feels like the end should be a moment of jubilations, but I always feel a little lost when I finish a novel. I don't quite know what to do with myself next. Usually takes a few weeks or a month to transition to something new.

    Congrats on finishing.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks Keri, Lynda, and L.G.!

    Theresa--I completely agree. It shouldn't be so hard to write a story where the end is just right, should it?

    Stolen by Lucy Christopher is one that I think nailed the ending. When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead is another, and Downsiders by Neal Shusterman. Of the 15 books in my September reading list, those are my picks.

    L.G--You wouldn't lose a month if you already had a request or two on the work. =)

    ReplyDelete
  12. It's always hard when you reach the end of anything. The blog hop sounds like fun!

    ReplyDelete
  13. The end of story is always a sad moment for me, whether I'm writing it or reading it. That means I have to start thinking of , "What's next."

    Good luck. I'm sure you'll come up with something wonderful to create.

    I'm a Write Campaigner. Had to say hi again!

    ReplyDelete
  14. cleemckenzie--Hi. *waves* I completely agree, reading or writing. I hate it when the book ends.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I've read a few books that I instantly disliked because of the ending - but thankfully I can't remember them!

    Congratulations on reaching your end! Right in time to start another for nanowrimo. ;)

    ReplyDelete

Hit me with your cheese!