monkeyAs a writer there is nothing I love more that burying myself in my characters and plot. Clacking away on my keyboard and leaving the real world do what it wants. Sometimes I can lose myself for hours on end and forget to eat and drink. However, there comes a time when the story telling ends, and the last chapter is written. I hate writing that last word.

Because then I start to panic! I know what is coming next. Hours, days and weeks (sometimes months) of proof reading, correcting, editing and rewriting. On top of worrying, loss of self confidence, fear and a concern that the story doesn’t stand up. It’s my complete loss of confidence time. It’s also the time that I become completely fed up after reading the damn story a hundred times. I have just been through this for the last two months, and I think I need a personality transplant.

Thankfully, this painful period is nearly over for my latest book Louis. I am at the point where I think I could recite it word for word. But I know that very soon, I will release it to the world, and if it is read or not, I know that I at least have read it for the last time. What a relief.

So now, it’s back to clacking again on my keyboard and losing myself again. Until the next time that dreaded last word arrives.

Derek’s Vandal Blog
www.derekhaines.ch
Derek on Twitter
Derek’s Author Page

The End of a Book

2 thoughts on “The End of a Book

  • 20/02/2010 at 12:53 am
    Permalink

    Its the same when reading the last chapter of a good book & slowing down because you know at the end you will miss the characters & you have to face the day to day of ordinary life!

  • 20/02/2010 at 2:26 am
    Permalink

    I'm working on a blog right now about my experience of having written and finished my current book. (Also Known As DNA). Will post to Twitter when done–but i must say, my experience of it is different.

    I know that if I have read my book fifty or a hundred times in the process of writing and editing, and I am still interested in it, it can still evoke emotion in me, (laughter, tears, excitement) then I have got something worth letting someone else read. And I re-feed my well and immediately start on the next book, with just as much enthusiasm. Perhaps it helps that I am also an editor, and have that process down, and also edit a lot as I write. At some point I will finish that book about being a writer, and my process, sharing the things I have learned. But am focused on the novels right now. Congrats on your completion and good luck on the next project!

Comments are closed.