I did it! I finished this draft! It didn't quite happen in the manner I had hoped, but I passed 60,000 words and I'm so much happier with my story than I was at the end of the second draft.
My final word count is 62,741 and there are 206 pages. That's an increase of almost 20,000 words and I don't know how many pages. (I'm writing this Thursday night and I'm a little bit loopy right now.) To say I'm relieved is such an understatement.
Around 8pm Thursday night I was very disappointed with myself. I'd edited close to thirty pages on both Tuesday and Wednesday, but my dad and I went to the beach Thursday and I didn't get anything done. Lucky for me Ibis is still sick and fell asleep around 9pm. (Clearly I don't want him to be sick, but it did help me in this situation.) I normally turn off the computer when he gets home since we have so little time together, but with him safely tucked into bed I decided to pull an all-nighter. 12:30am isn't exactly late, especially for some of you night owls, but I'm not used to staying up to crank things out. Aside from the stiff joints, it feels good.
I've had a new reader lined up for this draft, then earlier today another writing friend offered to read it as well, so now I have two more opinions to add to the mix. After I hear back from them, my plan is to incorporate their suggestions, run it by a final proofreader (hi Mom!), then dip my toe into query hell.
Then the real stress will begin.
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23 comments:
Congrats! Now, start the next one.
Allen, I already have! I'm about 62K into my NaNo novel and plan to finish that once I wrap this one. My plan is to work on my query and synopsis while this round of readers have it so I'm one step closer to being ready.
YAY for you!!! Having just finished my first draft EVER of a novel-length ms, I get how you feel. Am now in the editing process and know it's just the first of many editing run-throughs, but still with each bit it feels huge.
YAY FOR YOU AGAIN!!!!
Am also happy to read for you if you ever want extra eyes.
You rock!
But we all knew that.
Yay, Yay, Yay, Melanie!
And you did good last night! I was up until 6 am, inexplicably sleepless. But I didn't write. I wandered the internet and read a whole book.
Yay! That's awesome, Melanie! Quite an accomplishment. Staying up until 12:30a, I mean.
Good for you!
I commend you for working so hard.
Good luck with your project.
Yay, Mel! Congratulations on crossing that finish line!
*does happy dance*
WAHOO! That's so great, Melanie.
Yay! I'm so excited for you!!
Congrats Mel...it must feel good.
I fell asleep on the couch watching a west coast hockey game and woke up at exactly 1:30am, which is 12:30am Melanie time. I must have sensed your excitement!
Mel! This is wonderful news.
Awesome Melanie....
That is incredible, I could never have done that.
I have a hard time writing these little blog entries.
I am so happy for you, I can say I know a writer.....
Thanks everyone! As I read the comments, I kept wondering why everyone was mentioning 12:30am, then I remembered that's when I wrote the blog entry. I didn't finish working until 1:30am - a little later. :) I forgot to update that when I posted.
Spy, get some sleep!
Mom, I'm sure you did. :)
That is fantastic news! Yay! I've been a little gun shy about being a beta. Ive been one twice, and both times the writer wasn't thrilled with my review. Yikes. I try to add positive with negative info.. so I am not sure what I've been doing wrong.
Turkey, I've yet to beta for anyone else. I feel bad because so many wonderful people have helped me and I'm aching to return the favor. However, I don't know how good I'll be...
Take the query plunge! I can't wait. Congrats!
Congratulations!!! What an achievement!
And you still worked in the beach. That's the impressive part :-)
I meant *played* in the beach. :-)
Colby, I'm excited for the plunge!
Pink, we worked HARD at the beach - volleyball, soccer, frisbee, swimming, AND dominoes!
Congrats! And I love the title of your post, haha!
Thanks Zoe. :)
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