Finished!

~ Annalisa Crawford

I’ve done it! I’ve finished my final draft, and sent off copies to some awesome beta readers!

Ahem, it can be a roller coaster of emotion…

This final draft came in at 47,500 words, and took 38 days. In total, this whole novel has taken 6 months and 1 day to get to this stage – the quickest I have ever written a complete novel (and yes, I’m officially stating that 47.5k is novel length… if you want to disagree, make sure you have tissues!)

I shall now be:

  • Eating chocolate
  • Actually dusting stuff before I vacuum
  • Reading
  • Eating cake
  • Walking
  • Enjoying time with my kids… or at least watching them leave the house with a cheery ‘See ya’
  • Sitting in beer gardens while ‘socialising’ the dog
  • Hopefully writing some short stories and submitting them to competitions and journals.

Do you like how the writing stuff comes last? It’s actually my main plan – I’ve already got my new notebook ready – but I can write while eating chocolate, drinking cider and people-watching in coffee shops!

What are you up to over the summer? 

34 thoughts on “Finished!”

  4. Congratulations … time for a break definitely – well done … now enjoy – cheers Hilary

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    1. I’ve already enjoyed a day out with a friend, and I’ll be meeting another couple tomorrow – it’s amazing how much time I could have if I wasn’t a writer 🙂

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  5. YAY! Well done, now take a deep breath and reward yourself with chocolate and cider! I seem to have been a master of procrastination of late . . . I need a kick-start me thinks!

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  7. Congratulations!!! I think it’s actually really healthy to honor the finishing of one work by taking a break before starting the next. It’s a really important accomplishment and has been a big part of your life for the past six months. Can’t wait to read it.

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    1. Thanks Melissa. I really need to build up my short story stock – I’ve run very low and/or run out of good ones! (Did you get the email I sent you? Did I send it to the correct address?)

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  8. congrats on finishing your NOVEL. That is exciting. And now you can relax and stretch your mind or your legs as you enjoy summer. I have no doubt that as you “socialize” at the beer garden, you will come across some folks who defy description but are characters in your next book (or short story). Enjoy!

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    1. Thanks, Joanne – it’s only my finished-for-now novel, there will be more writing, I imagine, once I get the comments back. But yes, beer gardens are research indeed 🙂

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  9. Hi Annalisa,
    I had to start all over again because it wouldn’t accept me commenting via Facebook. Of course, I’ve now forgotten what I’d previously typed.
    Well done on the completion of your final draft. I could use some draft right about now, what with all this hot weather we’ve been having. Oh, wrong kind of draft 🙂
    I’m amazed you can keep track of counting your words. Heck, I lose track after about 10 words, no, maybe it’s more like 9 words! 🙂
    I like your list. Time for some summer fun.
    All the best, Annalisa.

    Gary

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    1. Lol, have a pint for me! Sorry you had to start your comment again, so annoying, but thanks for persevering 🙂 I’ve managed the cake-eating part of the list already!

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    1. Chocolate cake, yes! See, that’s why I like you so much 🙂 I’ve got a Superman notebook, can’t wait to start using it. At the moment, the flash I’m writing is on the back of receipts – I don’t know why, but I don’t want to break the flow!

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    1. Thanks Julie. I hope I can deliver! (I’m having one of those “argh, this is the worst thing I’ve ever written” moment – don’t worry, it’ll be over soon.)

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