So You Think You’ve Finished Your Book?

Writing The End on the last page of your manuscript brings with it a wonderful feeling of accomplishment.  Take a deep breath, let it out, and then scream your joy to the heavens.  Drink champagne, buy yourself a gift, do whatever you wish to reward yourself. 

If you’re like me, you are brain numb and need a break from writing.  Set a date to start on revisions and then relax.  Well, not totally.  You can always work on the Tedious Tasks for Writers that I talked about last month on this blog.  Why, this very morning I spent an hour organizing my Favorites on the Internet.  A waste of time, you say?  I beg to differ.  I’ll actually save time in the future when I need to go to a site and can find it in my bookmarks more easily.

I also spent time cleaning out my Word files for book number one in my paranormal series.  Mind you, I just finished book two, but I am hoping number one sells first.  I’ve got my story blurbs for this title ready to go, plus bonus features for my website, a reader discussion guide, and text for a book trailer.  So what else can my brain brew on during this interval from writing, which we all know is part of the creative process? 

Here’s what is next on my writer’s To Do list: Write the text for book number two trailer.  Since I have six heroes and heroines altogether in this series, I should match them up.  Scan in the photos I’ve cut out of magazines, match the guys to the gals, give the girls names and occupations. Then narrow the focus to book number three. Develop the backstory for the hero and heroine. Determine what this guy’s particular mission will be within the core story. How will I weave in the different plot threads from previous installments, and how will these loose ends be resolved at the series’end? Make a chart or a spreadsheet of the magical elements in this paranormal fantasy along with who possesses them and what they do.  Write the plot for book number three. By now, I’ll be chomping at the bit to write this story. But wait, first I have to revise Book Two.

You know what?  That sounds like a lot of work, and I deserve a break.  Think I’ll go on vacation instead.  See ya in a few weeks.

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