I’ve just now–and I mean just now, like five minutes ago–reached a point in the new novel that I’ve been aiming toward since I first conceived of the project. And that would be October 2005, when I was away at Ragdale, Thumper a little bundle of cells all of four weeks into his development. I knew all along where I was heading with it, and now I’ve reached the point in the first draft where I have to write it–the big climactic scenes. Everything coming to a head. Everything that came before it hopefully leading to this inevitable conclusion.
Holy shit, am I terrified.
I need to step away from it now. I don’t want to dive into these final scenes with only thirty minutes of writing time left, as I have today. I need to tackle it at the beginning of a work session, when I’ll have a few hours to worry my way through it. Have to get my head in the right place, have to be sure the emotional impact and the tension are there in first draft, because that’s what’s hardest (for me) to layer in in later drafts.
Gah. Guh. Ugh…
Okay… deep breath…
I don’t get another big chunk of writing time until Friday, so between now and then I just need to chew over everything I want to do in those closing scenes and try not to freak out too badly.
Thanks to the makers of Rescue Remedy.
I think I’ll have a finished first draft by the end of next week. I’d better cut back on the coffee between now and then…
26 responses so far ↓
1 shannon in oregon // Jun 3, 2008 at 1:33 pm
how exciting and beautiful and wonderful! yes, just breathe…as deeply and as often as you can.
2 shannon in oregon // Jun 3, 2008 at 1:33 pm
how exciting and beautiful and wonderful! yes, just breathe…as deeply and as often as you can.
3 Carmen // Jun 3, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Will you be able to sleep?????
4 Carmen // Jun 3, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Will you be able to sleep?????
5 Lee // Jun 3, 2008 at 3:01 pm
I know how you feel. My thesis is winding up, hopefully I will finish it this week, and I’m doing homeopathic stress formula several times a day. Plus all my tell-tale understress behaviors are appearing: reading fiction every spare moment, like while brushing my teeth (I haven’t taken time to read a book in 2 years), setting the alarm to get in 30 minutes of knitting time in the morning before getting dressed, loss of appetite…
Best of luck to you!
6 Lee // Jun 3, 2008 at 3:01 pm
I know how you feel. My thesis is winding up, hopefully I will finish it this week, and I’m doing homeopathic stress formula several times a day. Plus all my tell-tale understress behaviors are appearing: reading fiction every spare moment, like while brushing my teeth (I haven’t taken time to read a book in 2 years), setting the alarm to get in 30 minutes of knitting time in the morning before getting dressed, loss of appetite…
Best of luck to you!
7 jen c // Jun 3, 2008 at 3:11 pm
ah, rescue remedy. i keep that on my desk at work and i’m pretty sure my boss things i’m a drug addict. but at least i’m controlling the stress!
good luck on the final scenes, it will all flow out as it should…
8 jen c // Jun 3, 2008 at 3:11 pm
ah, rescue remedy. i keep that on my desk at work and i’m pretty sure my boss things i’m a drug addict. but at least i’m controlling the stress!
good luck on the final scenes, it will all flow out as it should…
9 claudia // Jun 3, 2008 at 3:34 pm
The anticipation is the hardest part. Much harder than the doing, in my opinion.
10 claudia // Jun 3, 2008 at 3:34 pm
The anticipation is the hardest part. Much harder than the doing, in my opinion.
11 Megan // Jun 3, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Your posts are very inspirational. Probably more than you realize…
12 Megan // Jun 3, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Your posts are very inspirational. Probably more than you realize…
13 Andi // Jun 3, 2008 at 4:52 pm
It is inspiring that you are so passionate about your writing. You make it sound like an adrenaline sport, and at the same time, tie it to conception, climax, pregnancy and life. I can’t wait to read the actual novel.
14 Andi // Jun 3, 2008 at 4:52 pm
It is inspiring that you are so passionate about your writing. You make it sound like an adrenaline sport, and at the same time, tie it to conception, climax, pregnancy and life. I can’t wait to read the actual novel.
15 knittripps // Jun 3, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Sounds exciting! I’m looking forward to reading it.
16 knittripps // Jun 3, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Sounds exciting! I’m looking forward to reading it.
17 Jennifer // Jun 3, 2008 at 8:32 pm
This is so exciting. I love hearing about your writing process. Good Luck!
18 Jennifer // Jun 3, 2008 at 8:32 pm
This is so exciting. I love hearing about your writing process. Good Luck!
19 norma // Jun 3, 2008 at 9:03 pm
YIPPEE!!! Yes, cut back on the coffee.
20 norma // Jun 3, 2008 at 9:03 pm
YIPPEE!!! Yes, cut back on the coffee.
21 marrije // Jun 4, 2008 at 5:56 am
GO YOU!
22 marrije // Jun 4, 2008 at 5:56 am
GO YOU!
23 Cate // Jun 4, 2008 at 6:43 am
That’s a WONDERFUL feeling, Cari…
24 Cate // Jun 4, 2008 at 6:43 am
That’s a WONDERFUL feeling, Cari…
25 Tina // Jun 4, 2008 at 10:17 am
That’s exciting! Nerve-wracking! Exhilarating! I miss that feeling, and so I shall live vicariously through you as you write….
26 Tina // Jun 4, 2008 at 10:17 am
That’s exciting! Nerve-wracking! Exhilarating! I miss that feeling, and so I shall live vicariously through you as you write….
Leave a Comment