August 22, 2010

Let's Get Reacquainted

I just finished my novel. Yay!

You'd think, right? But anybody who's ever written a novel in hopes of publication knows that I'm only at the halfway point. Kind of like laying an egg. Somebody still has to get it from nest to market, so you can buy it and get it on your breakfast plate. Yes, I just compared my writing to something I shoot out my ass. 

Bon appétit!

The writing of a novel is only the first part of the process—and I'm not sure it's even the hardest part, given the rigmarole yet to come my way, including agent hunting, contracts, publication, and marketing. Wait, what am I saying, of course writing is the hardest part! I birthed a romantic comedy, for god's sake, and the rewriting labor alone took three months with no numbing agents or mind-altering substances—though I do feel hung over and, frankly, I think I tore. 

The only cure is more hair of the dog, so while I'd like to celebrate my big finish, I have bigger eggs to fry. (Hey, poaching metaphors is my specialty.) I'll keep you posted on things. Meantime, let's get reacquainted. Leave me a comment and I'll pop by for a visit.
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59 comments:

Kristina P. said...

I'm excited to hear about your journey. Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Be sure to cook those eggs well before consumption. Glad you have reached this milestone...and can come up for some air!!!

Anonymous said...

There are far worse "out your ass" metaphors you could have used. Thank you for not choosing those. Mazel tov on the novel. No, I'm not really Jewish. I'm just a Jewpanican who wishes she had a bagel and a finished novel.

http://rantsravesandwitticisms.blogspot.com/

Gaelyn said...

Good for you laying your first egg. I can tell you're fried. Sure hope to see this newborn in the bookshelves/henhouse soon.

iasa said...

Well done!! You should celebrate a bit, at least while you stitch yourself up. I can't imagine all those paper cuts. Owie!

Good luck with the rest of the process.

cheatymoon said...

Congratulations and looking forward to hearing more about the process. :-)

Hilary said...

I have been wondering if you were OK....so I am glad to hear you have just been shooting novels out your ass.....you are too funny, girl.
Your book should be a best seller.

Fay Campbell said...

The writing was the fun part of mine. Prepare to have the arms and legs torn off your baby.
Ooooh. . . . I mean CONGRATS

Lori said...

How happy was I too see you had posted...was starting to wonder if you were okay and was just going to stop by and leave a comment on your last post..thankfully you beat me to the punch. :) How exciting about the book you are writing. I can hardly wait to read it! :) Thanks for ending my worry!

rxBambi said...

I'm so excited for you! I can't wait to read it. I want a signed copy - got that??

flutter said...

I am REALLY proud of you!

The Urban Cowboy said...

Congratulations, that is a huge step! If I could write a novel, I would...you have what few do.

I look forward to seeing your egg hatch in book shelves.

Unknown said...

Wow, that is awesome!Good luck on the next part of your trip!

Fred Miller said...

Congratulations. You might be surprised how many novelists are afraid to finish. But you made it. Feels good. If you feel like letting it sit for a month or six weeks, I'd encourage that. That gives you time away to "miss" it and think about it. Then you look at it again with fresh eyes.

The Fred Effect

Irish Gumbo said...

So there you are, dah-ling! Big kudos on finishing the book. Wishing you all the best, and good luck with the next phase.

Is it too early to ask for a signed copy? *blinkblink* Pretty please? :)

ellen abbott said...

So is that why you moved to Florida?

Well, good job. Now get it published.

Nancy said...

Congratulations! Just birthing that egg is something to be incredibly excited about! I can't wait to read it when it hits the bestseller list.

Bernie said...

Good Luck on all else involved with your book.....I bet it is brilliant.
Looking forward to reading it,
........:-) Hugs

Juli said...

I haven't got past the First Draft, much less to the point of being ready to send my baby novel off into the world by herself. (It's my two-year goal.) Good luck!

Sarah Lulu said...

That is so exciting!

Congratulations.

I think the worst is over ...now it's just a matter of introducing your baby to the world!

I'd like to star in a real life romantic comedy ....starting today.

*smile*

Unknown said...

I'm so anxious to hear about your novel. Tell us more!

Murr Brewster said...

Great job. I want to be exactly like you when I grow up, so if you go to self-publishing, tell us all about it and save us some steps. Oh, and while you're at it, you could finish my novel for me. I'm not real sure what happens next.

Pseudo said...

WOOO HOOO! Very exciting news Liar. I will be interested in all the next steps and look forward to the posts about them.

Sueann said...

Congrats on your book! Finishing is the hardest part. Now all the leg work begins and that is difficult too! Good luck!
Looking forward to hearing about the rest of the adventure/journey!!
Hey! My fiber sculpture is now installed! Come see!
Hugs
SueAnn

daisyfae said...

congratulations! that's a big deal! the novel, not the eggs out the ass... althought that would be a pretty big deal, too!

Unknown said...

LOL with the metaphors and congrats on finishing the novel. I know what comes next will be difficult (maybe) but don't let anyone deter you from your goal.

Again, congratulations and... get to work on the next one, girl!

Casey Freeland said...

Congratulations! I know the feeling. The funniest part of this post is you think you're halfway done. LOL! Thanks for that. Now I'm off to work with a smile.

Cheers,

Casey

CiCi said...

Whew, you accomplished a great thing just getting it to this point. I applaud your hard work and I hope you get through the editing. Good luck to you. You obviously are a great writer, you have words for every situation.

The Bug said...

You're, as usual, hilarious. I'll have to share this post with my husband - who has a contract to get his dissertation published. What, a book about Kentucky after the civil war isn't the same as a romantic novel?

Anonymous said...

I wonder if a chicken would tell you that the first egg was the hardest[not boiled-but as in difficult]

I have three novels and three childrens books gathering dust [no, not books Annie, Mss's]
Didn't have the guts to keep going through what you MUST persevere with.
I salute you all-PUBLISHED!!! What a word...Good luck.

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

Oh Funny One. Thanks for the visit and congrats on something I know you are very proud of and were obviously committed to...gawd dangling participals and all.
So go fry up some more fun and yay for you. The Olde Bagg

Twenty Four At Heart said...

You wrote a book in just three months? That's amazing. And congratulations - that's quite an accomplishment!

Brian Miller said...

congrats...it is a big step and i hope the rest of the journey will be smooth sailing...i know that is wishful thinking but...dont let the revisions beat you up...

Busy Bee Suz said...

Congratulations to you, that is quite a feat!!!
Now I am craving eggs...I may just have to risk the salmonella.

carma said...

three months? That's some speedy birthing - well done!!!

foxy said...

Oh, Kimber.... I AM SO GLAD TO HEAR IT!! Wooooohooooo! You've only worked your whole entire ASS off on that freaking novel! Dang.

I'm sorry you tore though. ;)

Suzy said...

So here's the advice an author gave me. Let it sit for 6 months and then look at it again.

I only waited 3 months but I was kinda shocked. Ok, REALLY shocked. Distance makes you read it like another person.

I changed 45% of it. That was 4 years ago. I still revise over and over. And every time I'm amazed at what I overlooked.

I'll spare you my version of the submissions nightmare.

Jeanne Estridge said...

Congratulations!

I'm still plugging away on mine, but it's my third, and those later births are supposed to be easier....

injaynesworld said...

Congratulations, my friend. I remember when I started out in the film business writing spec screenplay after spec screenplay, searching for an agent -- not much different. Keep the faith, my friend. It eventually paid off for me. Wishing you much success!

lisahgolden said...

I am so excited for you!!!!!!

I can't wait to read your novel. I'm confident that we'll see it published in due time.

(Grinding my teeth at the glacial pace "due time" actually is.)

Liz Mays said...

What an achievement! That is just so fantastic!!! I hope your rewrite phase is not too wretched!

Jo ~ said...

hey grrrrl congratulations! I want a signed copy by gollygee!

secret agent woman said...

Congratulations! hat was certainly worth taking time away form blogging. (But thank goodness for Readers that alert you to a new post, huh?)

--V said...

Congrats on writing the book! That's impressive.

Glad to have you back writing to us again. And holy comments, Batman! Looks like there are a lot of us out here who missed you.

Ruth said...

I thought I heard a LOUD bwaaack!

To market, to market, to sell a fat book. Home again, home again, contract in hand! That's my wish.

JennyMac said...

Congratulations!!!! When I finished mine, I had a giant learning curve so I got a book that was rec'd to me. You probably have gotten a litany of books to check out regarding the publishing process but if you want one more, let me know and I will email you the title.

Anonymous said...

This must be some kind of pandemic,or most of us bloggers are actually authors at heart.

I recently started letting my inner fantasy life loose on it's own writing blog and I have recently been contacted by an 8 times published author, telling to get an agent. That alone nearly scared me into a long term mental block and practically removed all enjoyment I was experiencing by JUST WRITING.

Good luck and send me the name of your agent when you find one.

ONE QUESTION: How are manuscripts submitted in the year 2010? I know it CAN'T be by paper, or email.

Tabor said...

A big pat on the back for finishing your novel. My son has a friend who is on her second (published novel) and she just turned 30. I am really jealous...but since I have never tried to write any novel...I have no excuses. Thanks for stopping by.

Tess Kincaid said...

Congrats on the book!! Thanks for your kind comment at my place today. Where have you been hiding? I see some of my friends have already found you!

The Empress said...

Congrats on your book and best of luck with all that is to follow.

Also, thanks for stopping by my blog. I always enjoy discovering new readers and their blogs, especially those that are amusing and outspoken!

Have a great week!
-The Empress

http://rantersbox.blogspot.com

Candice said...

So excited for you. Go get it girl!

Missy said...

This is so exciting! Can't wait to read your book!

creative kerfuffle said...

OMG--I've only known a handful of people who've completed a novel (and been published) and I am in awe of them and you! that is wonderful! really wonderful. i hope, for us who are still on the writing path, you'll share your wisdom on navigating this next birthing step.

Pat said...

Congrats! That's quite an accomplishment! I sure hope your egg doesn't have salmonella with all that scare going around now! LOL!

You are the 3rd blogger that I follow to finish a novel. This means only one thing: I'd better get my ass in gear!

Keep us posted on your path!

Udder Hysteria said...

I am SO proud of my sister! That is such a huge accomplishment and a long standing goal achieved. Now it's on to the next adventure! Smooches n hugs!

Linda Medrano said...

I'm impressed! I hope the path to publication is a smooth one. We all want to be able to say "we knew her when"... Best of luck!

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

lovely blog,
reflective post...

Midlife Roadtripper said...

How proud I am of you for getting back on that horse and doing the rewrite. Guts, you have, my dear. I wish you the very best luck with the agents. And the next venture of your writing.

Michelle Wells Grant said...

Yabba-dabba-dooo!
Oh what feeling, one I wouldn't know! Congrats! Book signings are in your future!