I mailed my manuscript in last Wednesday. *jazz hands* On the drive home, I felt thrilled. And sad and relieved and listless and exhausted and energized and... Um, a lot of feelings. I had spent the last month in a hardcore let's-get-inside-this-character's-head quest. As a result, my character and I became close. So much so, mailing the manuscript felt a lot like a goodbye. (I may or may not have told this main character that I will miss her and love her always. Out loud. Because she needed it. Yup, we'll go with that.)
Explaining this hodge-podge of emotions to others proved tricky. Wasn't I glad? I had finished! Well, yes, I was very glad. But also a little sad. Why the sadness? Because I had released my baby into the big blue world where people might not get her--and might even straight-up reject her. To create is a risky affair. But I guess people say that about living too.
I'm wondering if you have ever experienced this rainbow of emotions. If so, I'm offering you an online pat on the back. You can share some of my Moose Tracks ice cream.
P.S. Highly recommend checking out Heather McCorkle's blog. (here!) She is a rockstar writer with a positive approach to pursuing publication. (How's that for alliteration!)
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22 comments:
Congrats on sending your manuscript out! That takes alot of guts, I'm sure. Don't know if I'll be able to do it!
Good luck with your manuscript! I know how you feel about the mixed emotions of being done and sending something out. I hope all goes well.
Yay! Good job, and moose tracks to celebrate!
By the time I submit, I usually feel like I'm through with that character and I'm sending him on his way in life. Graduation, out of here kind of thing.
Except now. I'm doing a nonfiction project about a school in the 1940's and the characters are real and I can't let them go. They (teachers and children) come through the school and make a difference and then they leave. Even though its not part of my planned outline, I want to know how they are doing, what they accomplished after their time in my manuscript. So I can imagine how you feel suddenly dropping a character that has been so much of your thinking.
Congrats! It is such a wonderful/terrifying feeling!
Congrats! It is such a wonderful/terrifying feeling!
Congrats and best of luck w/ the submission! :)
Cinette: Thanks for visiting! And you can totally do it. :)
Shallee: Thanks so much!
Gretchen: Wow. I had never thought about how nonfiction writers would feel about their characters. So hard I bet.
Julie Jarnigan: Wonderful/terrifying. So true!
Kristi Helvig: Ah, thanks girl!
Maybe, if you miss her that much, you could begin working on a sequel?
CONGRATS on finishing and good luck!
Love,
Lola
Ah, thank you, you are so sweet! Great alliteration too ;-) I've been there, sending my baby out into the world to be judged. In fact I'm there now, with two very different babies! It is a rollercoaster of emotions. Hang in there!
My emotions are like a roller coaster ride when it comes to writing.
Congrats and the best of luck.
Congrats Samantha, on sending your manuscript and all the best. Hope it finds a publisher very soon.
Rachna
Woo-hoo Sam! :) Congratulations!
I look forward to the day that I may have that bittersweet feeling of sending my little paper boat into the open waters, wondering where it will sail and hoping that it doesn't immediately capsize.
(imagery! *jazz hands*)
The past couple of weeks have been positively nutso with school and work, but I'm hoping to settle into some writing (and reading!) in the next week or so. Take care!
Lola Sharp: Just jotted down some sequel ideas at Starbucks. :)
Heather: Two babies? Go girl!
Medeia Sharif: Roller coaster ride. Yup. So feel you there.
Rachna Chhabria: Thanks for visiting!
Inky: Ah, thanks for visiting amiga! Excited to your next chapters and love the jazz hands. :)
That's exciting. Good luck. I love Heather's blog. She has some great info there.
Good luck with your manuscript. I know the feeling, though. I think that's what's behind a lot of series: The author just isn't ready to say goodbye. Do you have a new novel in mind? Or are you going to take a break for awhile?
I'm so glad that you got it sent off. So exciting!
Congrats. You won my Sisters Red Giveaway. We'll be in touch.
lotusgirl: I agree!
Elizabeth Varadan aka Mrs. Seraphina: Thanks for visiting! I usually take a breather in between projects to refuel. I did brainstorm sequel ideas, but I'm pretty much only playing at this point. :)
Avitable: Thanks, Senor! Ahhh. Feels good.
Medeia Sharif: Sweet! Thanks so much!
I sent you an email today. If you didn't get it you can read me at sharif(at)sharifwrites(dot)com.
Congrats on finishing! Woo-hoo! Good luck!
Oooh, good luck! It's been awhile since I've done it because of my strange summer. I remember feeling glad mine was gone. A visitor that has been at the house a bit too long, LOL.
Oooh, good luck! It's been awhile since I've done it because of my strange summer. I remember feeling glad mine was gone. A visitor that has been at the house a bit too long, LOL.
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