THE END AT LAST

IT’S PARTY TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, indeed! I did it! And now I feel I can finally call myself a writer.

Oh. My. Goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know all you writers out there know…I mean really KNOW…the feeling of writing those two little words at the bottom of your very last page. All the work and goodness, all the time involved. It’s staggering!

It is 1:30 a.m. on Friday and I just had to write this post before I slipped into bed, because I am so incredibly psyched that I really did it. I wrote a book! See, a part of me really questioned if I really had it in me to finish what I started. I have been known to try something new, then give it up after awhile. On to new and better things, don’t you know.

But this…oh, this is something I have really wanted to do since high school. It’s been a dream tucked away where no one could ever possibly know about it. I had not even told my husband until a couple of years ago and then it took me a year to get the courage to actually do it.

This little 71,531 word manuscript has taken me a whole year to write. True, I took off last August through December due to work constraints and a son’s wedding, but still…a year? I’ve got to get some time management skills!

So now I step into the next phase of my journey. The dreaded edit. Actually, I am looking forward to it. Maybe that’s because I have never really done it before, but I am optomistic. At least the story is down in my PC, waiting to be hacked on and made better.

Today I’m going to party in celebration of this accomplishment. I’m not sure how yet, but I will definitely let you know!

Any ideas for me?

31 responses to “THE END AT LAST”

  1. CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am so proud of you!

    I know how hard you've worked on this project, and I applaud you for your effort and great finish.

    You deserve to, first, get a long, good night of sleep–and then, when you party, do something you wish you could have done but the project took that time. Whatever you WANT. 😉

    Congrats! Good luck with the edits; it's not pleasant business. But they can wait a few weeks–you need to step away from the book.

    Cheers! I raise a toast to you!

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  2. That's wonderful! I knew you could do it.

    Who are you targeting?

    Lynnette Labelle
    http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com

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  3. HUGE Congrats!!!! Even with your busy week, you managed to finish!!! I'm so proud of you for sticking with it and making it to the end! And you defnitely deserve a party!!

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  4. Yay!! I can feel your excitement and I really do know how you feel! You did it!!! Awesome!!! And so late at night??lol You were determined! Now put it away a few weeks before you start to edit and then when you go back you will be amazed at what you wrote:)

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  5. I remember writing the last sentence of my book and getting a huge high! I was so proud of myself for having finished an ENTIRE novel! I called my sisters and said “Guess what! I wrote a book!!!!” They laughed, cuz they'd already read most of it, but I just couldn't hold back. I totally understand your excitement.

    CONGRATS!!!!!

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  6. Sherrinda, if I weren't in so much muscle pain from gardening I'd jump up and down for you. This is awesome news. CONGRATULATIONS!

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  7. Congrats!!! Such a great feeling, isn't it?

    As for celebration, I'm still voting for baked goods 🙂

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  8. WHO-HOOOO!!!!! Doing a major happy dance for you here Sherrinda! That is SUCH an amazing feeling. I know exactly what you're tlaking about. Something about finishing that first book is just euphoric. A HUGE accomplishment. Dance and celebrate!

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  9. Chocolate is always good celebration! 🙂

    Congratulations! I do know how it feels and it's wonderful!!!! You should be very, very proud of yourself. 🙂

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  10. What an amazing accomplishment – congrats!! Definitely celebrate the completion of this step before moving on to the edits!

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  11. Weronika, I'm toasting with you, girl! (clink of the glass) I slept in this morning…8:30am *gasp*…okay, so not too late! I'm totally considering going back to bed and watching a movie…sigh…indulgence! lol

    Lynnette, as a newbie writer would say…”I have no idea!” When I started, didn't know you were supposed to target a publisher! lol I've some research to do for sure, and then most likely some major edits to “target” better. 🙂

    Jody!! Yes, even with the busy week. I think sometimes pressure helps me work better. I will definitely be a deadline oriented gal. 🙂

    Terri, I sure hope to go back and be amazed! I'm afraid though that I'll get back to it and cringe! lol No biggie though…that's what the edits are for, right?

    Marybeth, I can so relate to calling your sisters like that! Of course, being in the wee hours of the morning, I opted not to call! 🙂

    Eileen, kudos to getting out and gardening! I refuse in this 100 degree heat wave! You can just stand and wave wildly at me instead of an all out dance! lol

    Faith, I'm smelling those baked goods and drooling! Hhhhm, I could make a run to the bakery! The kids would love it, for sure!

    Katie, I'm a dancing girl today! Now if only I were a good dancer! :0)

    Jessica!!! Chocolate! Yessss!

    Megan, I am having trouble narrowing down all the things I want to do to celebrate! But I will definitely do something…on somethingsssss! 🙂

    Thanks you all for sharing my joy! You are the best!

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  12. Congratulations! What an amazing accomplishment.

    Thanks for sharing your exciting news with us. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that feeling of finishing a manuscript. Yay!

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  13. Talk about POSITIVE! You rock! I think one of the most awesome feelings in the universe if finishing a novel. So congrats! Just remember not to over edit. 🙂

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  14. Hi Sherrinda –

    Woohoo! Doing the Snoopy Dance for you. I know that feeling.

    Blessings,
    Susan 🙂

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  15. Sherrinda, place your hand on your computer screen. Great. I'm doing the same. So, you just got a Cyber high five from me for your BIG accomplishment.

    I'm excited for you and proud of you. Enjoy the high. As for celebrating, I'm all for watching a great romance. Since you were up so late, a nap would be nice too.

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  16. Cindy! Thank you so much! I feel like I'm on top of the world! lol

    Lady Glam, don't over edit, huh? I have wondered if I will be the type to never feel like it is really finished…never quite good enough. I can see that happening! And yes, I am definitely wearing my FUN PANTS today…no cranky pants coming out for this one!

    Susan, I am so dancing with you! I love that my writer friends know EXACTLY what I am feeling!

    Keli!!! I am loving the cyber high five! How cool is that? And as for movies, I just got Persuasion in the mail (the new BB version) and I am about to head back to bed and watch. INDULGENT!!!!

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  17. Wow!! Wow!! Wow!!!

    Awesome! I'm soooo excited for you! Sing along with me “you finished a bo-ook”

    I think we all have projects we start and never finish. The hardest, most important ones often are the most difficult. You should be running down your street throwing rose petals and shouting “I did it!!” all day!

    Celebrate!

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  18. Congratulations! What a huge accomplishment.

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  19. Congratulations! It's a great feeling. I actually enjoy editing my stories, it feels good to see your manuscript getting better and better before your eyes. I've never wrote anything that long before, you need to celebrate.

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  20. Great job. *doing retro dance*

    Enjoy the moment–bask in this accomplishment.

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  21. Oh, wow, that is so awesome! Oops, passive sentence.
    Congratulations, Sherrinda! I am so elated for you!
    Yes, I have many party ideas. Do not cook; have your hubby take you to the best restaurant in town. Buy a new outfit. Eat the most expensive ice cream you can find. And say “Thank you, Jesus” forty days and forty nights.
    Love you and am proud of you,
    Jen

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  22. Thanks, Inspi for Writers!

    Janet, I am so glad to hear someone really like editing! I am actually looking forward to it.

    Tara, now what exactly does a “retro” dance look like! I'm sure I can do retro. 🙂

    Jeanette, I think I can check off most of your ideas!!!! Hubby is taking me to a GREAT hamburger place tonight with some friends. After all the ice cream I've eaten today, I will need another outfit to FIT IN! lol And I already say “Thank you, Jesus” each and every night! He's so good! You are an encouragement! Thanks!

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  23. awesome! that status bar is full tilt to the right! i know you're excited…and rightly so! celebrate hard…and then get down to editing. 🙂

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  24. congratulations, i am so proud of you! party, party, party!

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  25. Cousin Charlotte!!! I didn't know you read my blog! (Or are you reading it on FB? Thanks for the encouragement!

    Jeannie, isn't that the best thing ever to see that status bar completely full??? I love it and am ready to get to the edits!

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  26. Congratulations! That's terrific news!

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  27. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I am so excited for you. I knew you could do it.

    It's so funny. I went out of town for one night (well, I was gone from my computer for 36 hours), and I missed so much. But this was by far the best news I've come across in my absence so far.

    I hope you celebrated BIG tonight!

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  28. Just signed up to follow your NEW blog: i was the first– how fun!

    Am trying to find your email,Sherrinda. I thought i had it.
    Looked in former posts of my contests, but couldn't find.

    Would you mind emailing me? levellies75(at)tigerpaw(dot)com.

    Thanks,
    Jen

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  29. Erica, thank you! It has been the best feeling!

    Heather! Thanks! I'm always amazed when I come back to the computer…even if it is for only a day, and so much has happened! I'm glad my news was a fun one for you! It has been a great couple of days!

    Jeanette, I just gave my blog new clothing. Sometimes I just need to change things up! I sent you an email so you would have my email address! What are you collecting emails for???

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  30. Congratulations!

    Have a big party with a chocolate fountain and plenty of fruit. Get that chocolate you need for the next book and fresh fruit for your health!

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  31. Linda! Chocolate and fruit! Sounds like a winning combination! 🙂

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