06 Apr 2008, Posted by Cat in News, 21 Comments. Tagged writing
finished!
I shouldn’t be claiming my novel is finished, cos finished implies spit-polished to perfection and ready to go out into the world… but as of tonight a complete draft of my novel is done: 145k of rip rollicking fantasy. Four fucking years, this thing has taken me! Also, this project is the thing that redefined certain aspects of my vocabulary. I remember back in the day when being naughty involved smoking, snorting, flirting and various other nefarious uses of the ‘ing’ participle form. Over the past 12 months, ‘naughty’ has been the word I use to describe myself when I sneak out a short story rather than plodding away at the tome. At what point did I ever become such a horrid creature???
21 Comments
April 6, 2008 9:02 am
lauragoodin
THE END is THE END. First drafts count as finished. I have spoken.
April 06 2008 11:12 am
Cat @
yay!
April 6, 2008 9:37 am
karenmiller
That is massive, Cat. Huge huge huge congrats.
April 06 2008 11:13 am
Cat @
ta!
April 6, 2008 10:33 am
strangedave
Awesome!
Now hurry up and get back to work on the next draft, I want to read this thing!
April 06 2008 11:13 am
Cat @
but I'm so sleepy!
April 6, 2008 10:38 am
mondyboy
Congrats Cat!
April 06 2008 11:13 am
Cat @
ta!
April 6, 2008 1:14 pm
chrisbarnes
Awesome.
April 06 2008 20:55 pm
Cat @
I reckon!
April 6, 2008 1:48 pm
robshearman
Many many congrats, Cat! I look forward to reading it!
Completing the first draft *is* the big finish, I think, with celebratory feelings and bells and huge sighs of relief and stuff. Other drafts from now on in are just icing on the cake anyway – the first draft is the Main Thing, and there suddenly exists a new novel in the world that wasn’t there a day ago!
I think you should now take the opportunity to reward yourself as doing as many naughty things which involve ‘ing’ as possible. Within a quick hedonistic twenty-four hour burst of guilt-free mayhem. That’s what I’d do, anyway. If I could think of any.
April 06 2008 20:59 pm
Cat @
My book has been constructed in a weird way -- most of it is at 4th draft stage. Only the last 30k or so is at first draft. I guess this is what comes from taking too long to complete something. Now that I understand how to write a book, the next one will be done in a reasonable time frame.
The only 'ing' I could come up with yesterday was singing whilst on my treadmill. Rob came out of his room to investigate, fearing one of the cats might have been in pain.
April 6, 2008 5:45 pm
martianmooncrab
At what point did I ever become such a horrid creature???
when you started winning writing awards and learning that your work is appreciated. Oh Look! it ends in Ing.. grin.
April 06 2008 20:59 pm
Cat @
writing is the ultimate 'ing' word...
April 6, 2008 7:16 pm
nick_kaufmann
Fantastic! I hope to be able to finish a novel this year myself.
April 06 2008 21:00 pm
Cat @
see, now I get to put a superior look on my face and say things like 'well if I can do it you can do it"
April 7, 2008 3:54 am
callistra
OMG! 145K is HUGE!!
Congratulations! Hula hoops for every one!
April 07 2008 04:22 am
Cat @
thanks!
April 7, 2008 7:24 am
trentonomicon
Congrats, Cat. Hope you’re still enjoying the finished glow!
April 07 2008 07:38 am
Cat @
I veritably glow in the dark!
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