The End – Finally

Posted by on Dec 27, 2014 in My Books, Writing | 8 comments

http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-end-image22440660The end.

I love writing those two words.  Finishing that first draft is one of the best feelings in the world, in my opinion.  It doesn’t matter how crappy it is, or how much editing it will take to make it readable.  I made it to the end—an accomplishment that frequently seems impossible from mid book.

Last week, I got to write those two words again.  Yes, I finally finished FF3.  It’s off with beta readers now.  I’m afraid I won’t make a December release date as I was hoping, but it goes for editing in early January, and cover art mid-month, so it shouldn’t be too much longer.

It frustrates me to no end that I can’t write faster.  Yes, I do have a day job and a family to take care of, but four months seems like a long time to write a first draft.  My writer friends assure me that the process gets, if not easier, at least more reliable the more you do it.  And though I’ve been writing for decades, I’ve only been taking it seriously for the last year.

Back in September, I wrote a blog post about improving my method.  I decided to give outlining on honest try.  It certainly helped, but I’m a long way from mastering that technique.  Even if I don’t turn out to be the sort of writer who plots every scene ahead of time, I do think it’s incredibly helpful to have some kind of roadmap before I begin.  So, I’ll keep trying to find the method that works for me.

Thanks for your patience as I find my way.  Hopefully, the next book will come together quicker!

8 comments

  1. Amy
    January 2, 2015

    Yay! I’m so excited. 😀 I really don’t mind the wait – we’re on the home stretch now…:)

    • Becca
      January 3, 2015

      I’m pretty thrilled to be in the homestretch myself!

      Of course, once this one is done, I’ve got to get started on the next one. No rest for the wicked. 😉

  2. jaymee
    January 15, 2015

    I really love your writing. I stumbled across your book The Final Formula in the amazon market and held on to it for a while, When I finally read it I kicked myself for waiting so long and devoured the rest of your books with in a few days and have been dyeing for the next one. I can not wait to read this book. Do you have any idea how many installments you are planning to write? I am eagerly awaiting your next book, and any future series you come up with. I have told my book club all about you.

    Thank you for this engaging story and your fantastic characters.

    • Becca
      January 15, 2015

      Hi Jaymee!

      Thanks for reading–and spreading the word! That’s awesome! I originally planned five novels with a novella between each, so nine titles total. This book will be the halfway point. Hope you like it. 🙂

  3. Cari Hislop
    January 15, 2015

    I’ve been thinking of your stories today (and wondering how long I’ll have to wait to find out what happens) and I look it up…and the first draft is finished? I’m so excited!!!! I can’t wait to find out what happens to Ian (I love all your characters, but he’s my favorite). As for writing slow…four months for a first draft in my opinion is fingers catching fire impressive!

    • Becca
      January 15, 2015

      Hey Cari,

      Every writer (and every book) is different, but this one really stymied me. I remember one three-day weekend that I wrote 3k each day, got up the next morning, tossed out the previous day’s work, and started again. So frustrating. Finally, I discovered that I needed to rearrange some scenes and it all fell together. Sometimes, I think my subconscious likes to mess with me. 😛

      As for the Ian love… You’ll be happy to hear that he gets a lot of page time in this one. 😉

  4. Mjtipton
    January 25, 2015

    I started reading your book today and could not put it down. I had my grandson and he was also reading his book and it made for a quiet afternoon. Reading your book was so exciting, not knowing what was coming next, you had me on the edge of my seat. Please, keep up the good work….I’m looking forward to the next book!

    MJT