I think I'm gonna cry

Hedgetrimmer · Jan 7, 2010

I finished my revisions this afternoon and suddenly was overtaken by those post-writing blues. I've never had a baby, but I imagine it's something similar to postpartum depression. I always get sad after completing a project I've worked on for ages. I plan to set it aside for a week or two then go back over it once again. But the work is done, and I'm already missing my characters. Somebody, please, pass me a tissue.

nitaworm · Jan 7, 2010

I know how you feel. I have a horrible habbit of slowing down on my writing when I am getting close to the end - like I am trying to hold onto my characters just a little longer. Then for a month, I am cranky or so. Then I allow myself to pick up my baby and rip it to shreds with edits - whooohhhaaa

alleycat · Jan 7, 2010

Just remember the old adage: This too shall pass.

Hey, give yourself a little reward for finishing; something that will rekindle your energy (or . . . just eat a box of chocolate ;-)

Cricket18 · Jan 7, 2010

Hedgetrimmer-

I'm exactly where you are...I'm done w/ my edits and letting my ms age for a week or so...I'm going nuts.

Although...the house is clean, the laundry is washed and folded...

jvc · Jan 7, 2010

How about writing a short story with your characters? Something quick and fun to do to pass the time. I actually did that (sort of) after I finished the first draft of my novel, before I began the rewrite/edit. I took two of the secondary characters and put them into a humourous situation in a short story. (May have been easy for me doing this as mine is a fantasy and the characters were not human)

Smish · Jan 7, 2010

You're all a bunch of babies. Here. Have a freaking Kleenex.

(Says the girl who cried while watching Designed to Sell on HGTV last night...)

Smish

jvc · Jan 7, 2010

Smish said:
You're all a bunch of babies. Here. Have a freaking Kleenex.

(Says the girl who cried while watching Designed to Sell on HGTV last night...)

Smish

Okay, I'd just like to clear this up. I wasn't actually crying. It wasn't me. Me not cry. I didn't do it.

(I was chopping onions)

Hedgetrimmer · Jan 7, 2010

jvc said:
How about writing a short story with your characters? Something quick and fun to do to pass the time. I actually did that (sort of) after I finished the first draft of my novel, before I began the rewrite/edit. I took two of the secondary characters and put them into a humourous situation in a short story. (May have been easy for me doing this as mine is a fantasy and the characters were not human)

Now that there is an excellent idea! I already have a short story scenario I think might fit my characters nicely.

Smish, you're too funny!

sissybaby · Jan 7, 2010

There's a remedy for that, Hedgetrimmer. It's called Don't Ever Finish Anything syndrome, or DEFA for short. It's sort of like diva, but different in a way.

I'm feeling for you.

Sissy

SheilaJG · Jan 7, 2010

Oh, crap, Hedgetrimmer, you had me thinking you'd gotten bad news. DON'T DO THAT!

I never had post-partum. I honestly can't imagine what you are feeling. If it was me, I'd be embarrassing my children by dancing around the house.

I like Jed's short story idea - throw those lovable characters into something new. That sounds like fun.

stormie · Jan 7, 2010

Oh, I completely understand! Here:

wyntermoon · Jan 7, 2010

I smell sequel!

Hedgetrimmer · Jan 7, 2010

Thanks for the hug, Stormie. Those little fellas are really cute.

Wyntermoon -- I told myself way back when that there was no way I could write a sequel to this book, as it seemed pretty complete. But this afternoon I found myself entertaining that very thought. A loose plot is already swirling in my head. Only time will tell if it actually takes form.

MsJudy · Jan 7, 2010

I wouldn't mind that feeling right now. I can't seem to get these characters to FINISH their frickin' story already! Not that I'm tired of them...I'm just ready to move on to the being rich and famous part.

Exir · Jan 7, 2010

Whew! I read the thread title, saw who the poster was, and thought, "oh no, hedgetrimmer's revised manuscript was scathingly rejected by an agent?"

Anyhow, I can sympathize with your feeling completely. I don't like finishing stories either

Hedgetrimmer · Jan 8, 2010

JudScotKev said:
I wouldn't mind that feeling right now. I can't seem to get these characters to FINISH their frickin' story already! Not that I'm tired of them...I'm just ready to move on to the being rich and famous part.

Ah, yes. Riches and fame. I'm sure it's something we all consider, though I can't say for sure if fame appeals to me all that much. I'll surely take the riches, but I'm a pretty private person who really doesn't like drawing too much attention to himself. It's definitely something I'll have to work on if I ever get to the point of having to do a bunch of self-promoting. Let me give it a shot.

Look at me, over here! Read my book, buy my book!

Drats! That didn't come out right. :Shrug:

Trish · Jan 8, 2010

Yes! Start a sequel, Hedgetrimmer. In fact make it a series, then you can stay with your characters longer.

Hedgetrimmer · Jan 8, 2010

Trish said:
Yes! Start a sequel, Hedgetrimmer. In fact make it a series, then you can stay with your characters longer.

Speaking of which, when are you planning on getting those Molly books published? That's one funny little girl.

Trish · Jan 8, 2010

I'm trying, Hedgetrimmer. I have now submitted the second in the series and I'm working on the third. They are junior fiction now, not chapter books. One agent liked it, but had just signed up someone with a similar animal. She said, she'd probably kick herself one day though. I took that as a great compliment.

Now I'm waiting on another agent's reply. My fingers and toes are crossed.

I love writing a series. I already know the characters and can concentrate more on the story. I would hate not to have Molly in my life, so I know how you feel. I'm working on other manuscripts too. One Y/A and another MG.

Hedgetrimmer · Jan 8, 2010

Glad to hear it. Since you have the fingers and toes covered, I'll cross my eyes.

I checked out your blog. That's really lovely. Is all that property yours? It looks like a wonderful place to romp and roam or just kick back and relax.

kellion92 · Jan 8, 2010

So happy for you, Hedge! I like Jed's short story idea while you're plotting out a new book with new characters. If the story was a stand-alone (like a prequel rather than a sequel) you could send it out to be published independently of the book, without waiting for an agent and (unlike a novel-length sequel) not dependent on your full-length novel to be published. Wouldn't that be cool to build some excitement over those characters, who everyone seems to adore?

Hedgetrimmer · Jan 8, 2010

kellion92 said:
So happy for you, Hedge! I like Jed's short story idea while you're plotting out a new book with new characters. If the story was a stand-alone (like a prequel rather than a sequel) you could send it out to be published independently of the book, without waiting for an agent and (unlike a novel-length sequel) not dependent on your full-length novel to be published. Wouldn't that be cool to build some excitement over those characters, who everyone seems to adore?

I believe we're on the same page. I recently posted a picture book in SYW about a little girl rescuing an injured bird. The MC had a different name than my character in Sweetness, but it was actually the same child in my mind. I've since rewritten it as a short story. I think I'll switch her name to that of the MC in the novel and, as you say, see if I can start creating interest in the character now. It still needs a little tweaking, but working on it will be a nice short-term project.

Trish · Jan 8, 2010

Hedgetrimmer. I did that with some of my first Molly stories. I turned them into Easy Readers, but haven't edited them yet. I considered changing the MC's name, but changed my mind. I thought I would submit them to different publishers and agents and see what happens as well as sending out the MG ones too.

Yes, those photos are of my garden. We have an acre, but it backs onto 600 acres of land owned by all of us that live in the estate. That land is used for grazing cattle and horses, but kangaroos and wallabies live there too. The picture with the kangaroos at the top of my blog, is my back garden, and my husband's of course.

Those naughty kangaroos were boxing each other at 5am yesterday and broke the branches off one of our Crepe Myrtles. They broke a branch of our Jacaranda tree a few weeks ago too.

All the pictures are of the estate where we live. The riverbank is only ten minutes walk from our gate. It is a place to relax, Hedgetrimmer, and we appreciate it every day. It gives me great inspiration for writing. Thanks for visiting my blog.

Lindzy1954 · Jan 9, 2010

Oh my gosh, I am in the same boat. I have finished up my first chapter book and it is on submission to agents currently. As with all projects, there are definitely things I could work on in the book but I really don't want to roam into those waters without some concrete feedback first. The second book is compete also, but not yet with my editor as I don't want to get too deep in that one until there is solid interest in the first one. I can't figure out what to do now. I am so obsessed with my character I can't really bring myself to start another project and leave him in the dust at the moment!
-Sam Robbens, Hero-in-Training Book 1 "X-Ray Vision and Hamster Handshakes" complete
-Sam Robbens, Hero-in-Training Book 2 "Mind Power and Super Poopers" complete but unedited

Trish · Jan 9, 2010

Lindzy, start the third book. That's what I'm doing, and each book is better than the one before. Trouble is, then you have to go back and make the previous books as good as the third. LOL.

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