Reaching THE END

Last night, I wrote THE END on a novel I’ve been working on for the last seven months. Granted, I didn’t get to work on it constantly.  There was that four month break to move our household 700 miles, find a house, close on the house, have our household goods moved, and unpacking so that we could again live a normal life.

 

I tried to write during those months – I tried hard – but when chaos surrounds you and the tools you need to cook a decent dinner remain buried in a box you have yet to unwrap, it’s hard to think about word count. The scariest part for me was that my characters weren’t even talking to me at that point.

 

For a writer, that’s damned scary!Flynn's Crossing Blog, Romance, Author's Insight

Since I didn’t seem to be able to write new words, I edited the old ones. My friends advised me to give myself a break.  My muse would return when the time was right, and when I had the time to write.

 

Guess what? They were right!

 

I woke very early yesterday, and by five in the morning, I knew that sleep wasn’t going to be my friend. Dear Hubby murmured something in his sleep as I kissed him goodbye.  Then I took the long walk (down three flights of stairs) to my new office.

 

And my old friend the muse walked along side me. She sat next to me, put my fingers gently on the keyboard, and whispered in my ear.  My characters, too long silent, yelled in my brain for attention.  And for hours, I wrote.

 

Fifteen thousand words plus later, I did it. Justice, my next Flynn’s Crossing book, was finished in first draft.  I wrote THE END.

 

The feeling of elation is unbelievable. Too keyed up to sit still, I took a drive, and I realized that I need to find some open road near my new home to put my foot down hard on the gas and celebrate each THE END.  Stereo cranked up, I sang along badly with hard rock ‘n’ rock.  I celebrated.

 

And why? Because this THE END felt like a new beginning.  And that’s just the way it should be.

 

What feelings course through you when you complete a project? Please share!

 

Happy writing – and reading – Yvonne

About The Author

Yvonne Kohano

Award winner and storycatcher Yvonne Kohano writes contemporary romantic suspense in her Flynn's Crossing series. She is also working on a psychological thriller trilogy, and producing nonfiction books with tips for creative types. In addition to running an indie press, Yvonne loves to cook (dedicated foodie), garden (plantaholic), travel (anywhere), and read and learn (anything). She, her husband and their dogs love their home in the Pacific Northwest. Follow her at www.YvonneKohano.com and on Facebook and Twitter to learn what tickles her about being a writer.

14 Comments

  • Suzanne Whitfield Vince

    September 24, 2014

    I can feel your excitement, Yvonne! I feel an unparalleled sense of joy when I write THE END. I feel it any time I have an amazing writing day. All is right in the world at that very moment. Congrats again, my friend. Sending you some virtual chocolate.

    • Yvonne Kohano

      September 24, 2014

      Thanks Suzanne! Enjoying the virtual chocolate party!

  • Dawn

    September 24, 2014

    You’re so right — I have not been seriously writing for very long. I have been thinking about it almost every day for most of my life and now I think I can do it. No. I KNOW I can do it. But in recent days I have broken my promise to sit down to it because of interruptions and other work. I am in awe of you 15 THOUSAND word day and aspire to something like it. Your writing just keeps getting better and better and so does your advice! Thanks, as always.

    • Yvonne Kohano

      September 24, 2014

      Thanks Dawn! And that day wasn’t the norm. On most days, 5000 is a terrific word count for me, after which I’m wrung out – in a good way. On Monday, I didn’t exercise or clean the house. The first went completely by the wayside and the second John took care of after his chores – he’s great about that. At least I feel like I’m back on solid ground, since I’ve been able to build and maintain momentum once more. Here’s to both of us keeping it going! Hugs – Yvonne

  • Diana McCollum

    September 24, 2014

    Writing The End is euphoric! Congratulations!! I love it when I reach the The End. I celebrate with an outing, a cup of Latte, buying something new. I let the MS sit for a day or two, and then open it up for the rewrite!

    • Yvonne Kohano

      September 24, 2014

      Thanks Diana! Maybe I’ll buy a kitchen cabinet for my remodel! 🙂 Yvonne

  • Suzanne Lilly

    September 25, 2014

    Writing “The End” is like the last final on the last day of your last class in college. You just want to jump for joy, don’t you? Congratulations, Yvonne on writing “The End” and on reconnecting with your muse after your big move. Hugs!

    • Yvonne Kohano

      September 25, 2014

      Thanks Suzanne! Can I admit that I don’t remember what the last day of college felt like? Probably because I was already working! Hhmmm… But I certainly enjoy the feeling finishing a written work gives me! Hugs back! Yvonne

  • Cindy Sample

    September 26, 2014

    Congratulations, Yvonne. That is such a wonderful feeling to type those two very special words. I can’t wait to read it!

    • Yvonne Kohano

      September 27, 2014

      Thanks Cindy! I can’t wait to get it out there and hear what readers think!

  • Cathy McGreevy

    September 27, 2014

    Nothing like that sense of satisfaction at wrapping it all up. Especially if it is something you’ve been working on for years, with a little idea that percolated a decade ago, grew into characters and situations, and finally allowed itself to be hammered into a plot: A real, solid entity, to show for all those months of dreaming, planning, and typing.

    • Yvonne Kohano

      September 27, 2014

      Thanks Cathy! Yes, the characters talk to me for quite a while before I even begin to capture their magic. And then they have a lot to say! I’m glad I could tell their story!

  • Paisley Kirkpatrick

    September 27, 2014

    Congrats, my friend. I can certainly ditto a lot of what you said today. A week ago I finally had an office put together with all my books on the new shelves Ken built for me and my photos on the walls. It is a great feeling. With that done, I finished up the edits of book five and the best part, we picked our daughter up at the airport. She is here for almot two weeks. She’s never seen Tomahawk, her daddy’s hometown, and meeting her family back here for the first time. Life is good!

    Hugs!

    • Yvonne Kohano

      September 27, 2014

      Thanks Paisley! I know what you mean about wanting your ‘space’ completed so that you can feel settled enough to work. While I’m not completely settled in, the things that need to be done are lower on the priority list. I’ll send pics of the new office space sometime soon! Enjoy your time with your daughter! Hugs back at ya!