Inventory is Finished
The novel I've been working on for two years is finished. 1:10 am on July 19, 2008, 308 pages. Two years. Better than the last one, which took four, but not as good as the first, which took four months.
What always strikes me when finishing these long projects is the lack of fanfare. You expect to feel some huge surge of happiness, expect the inner equivalent of spinning lights and confetti and maybe a brass band, but when you type the last words, it's just quiet. And that's okay.
My advice: when you arrive at this moment, enjoy it. Soon enough doubt creeps in about the ending, oh and the middle and the beginning too. And the revisions begin. It's only 'just finished' for so long.
And that's the point - you crossed the finish line. You committed to your writing and yourself and you stuck to it. Be proud of yourself.
Now I'm going to bed!



