Yesterday I finished the first draft of novel 4, let’s call him The Drowning of Arthur Braxton. I told Twitter, I told Facebook, and everyone was amazingly supportive, so many got that it was a big deal for me.
You see. Fifteen months ago, I had a conversation with a friend. I’d stopped writing, I was all set to give up. It was a real ‘should I stop this dream’ moment. That friend helped me to write again, short story writing was magic.
And now. Today, somewhere, in amongst my utterly emotional head, there’s a tiny shrill of euphoria dancing alongside an echo of ‘I told you so’.
Regardless of what happens next: This is what it feels to be happy.
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All credit to that friend (and to yourself of course). If I’d had more of an inkling that you were all set to give up, I would have had a word myself (though perhaps it’s as well that I didn’t).
Seriously though, this really is lovely news.
x
You’ve been an amazing support and friend for years, Mister x
You know what else is cool? Happiness is infectious, so congratulations and thank you.
I’m still loving that title
You swung the title for me! Thank you x
Well thank God for Nik, and I can’t wait to read this one and the other one and the, erm, other one.
Thank you and, eek! x
First of all, thank you for posting that bit about giving up and getting over it. Just what I needed to hear.
Second of all, once this hits all the ‘bestselling’ lists, I can say - I WAS THERE FOR THE TITLE REVEAL!
(If I had more spare time, I would totally start the #1 Caroline Smailes fansite.)
Thanks Mark - I worry I reveal too much. I think perhaps I am supposed to pretend everything is perfect all the time. But I don’t. And, you are lovely. Thanks Mister!
XXXX
Thanks Meg x
Ahem. I told you so.
AND that title’s AWESOME.
And, more importantly, I’m so, so proud of you for not being a stubborn nana and for writing it. It’s going to be wonderful. I know these things. (And you so shouldn’t forget how wonderful YOU are. Please.)
Much love
Nik xx
Ha! Yes, yes, you can take credit for the title too! Thanks Mr P, for kicking me up the arse when I needed it and being an ace mate. I won’t forget that (even when you’re being a dick!
) x
So proud of you…enjoy the moment and carry the good feeling with as you move forward.
lx
Thank you so much, lovely lady xxx
Yay! Go you.
I finished the first draft of a novel last week, too.
Well done, Missy!
Well done for not giving up, Caroline. I know well how you felt then, so enjoy your success at completing the first draft - you’ve earned!
Many thanks for your lovely comment.
I’m so glad you didn’t give up. You are my inspiration.
Ooh, and I love the title.
Thank you, Helen! An inspiration? Gosh, I don’t know about that x
While the writer in me says: leave some time before editing, the reader in me says: get on with it; I wanna read it now!
Well done.
Ha! Next week, I think… maybe I’ll tackle it. I tend to do a million redrafts! Am having a break and a clearing of my head first. And, thank you.
I know the feeling. Congratulations on finishing! Good luck.
Can’t wait and well done to NP for the kick!
I haven’t written a thing for fifteen months so I am pleased to hear you had the same problem. (Doesn’t sound right, does it?) I don’t have a Nik P on tap, so I’ve spent the last three months rearranging my life and flat to get me from where I was to somewhere else. Now I’m lost. No, I’m not. I’m still in Brighton (part of the original problem but too complicated to explain here and now).
As far as writing issues go, I discovered the secret years ago when I nearly went round the twist trying to dream up a poster campaign for Perrier - don’t panic. Simple as that. If you can’t do what you have set out to do, leave it. Move on to something else and in the fullness of time or as the deadline approaches, whichever comes sooner, things magically happen.
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