Sunday, August 22, 2010

Finished...


...this will be short, for at this point I'm spent.

Last evening, or rather, early this morning, four-ish or about, I crossed out the word "secretly" with what was once a red Sharpie, but over time had dwindled to a pink highlighter.

I re-read the final two paragraphs splayed before me for probably the thirtieth time in the past hour.

I pasted the page to an email and hit "send." The paper covered in faded red ink, I shoved into my fax and hit "send."

Then I did something I haven't been able to do in quite some time. I closed the page I was working on, clicked the "shut down" tab at the bottom of the screen, and hit "ok."

Revisions are done...

Following a six month battle against time, and re-working my re-work, the real task of writing has come to an end. Stephen King, among others, have said that by the time your work makes it to the shelves, you've read it so many times that you literally never want to see it again. Then if it does well...you have to.

My editor is not a man with a jaw full of jargon. He offers me hints, and allows me the freedom to figure out what he's after. I've sent him re-writes, and the next day received, "No way." Or, "Try again." Or my favorite, "Think this through." I lay siege to the delete button and start over.

Then on occasion I'd find this message. "Nice." Or, "Better." Once I got, "This is good."

Today, after finally waking up to the sounds of my kids terrorizing the kitchen in search of breakfast, I checked my email, opened the one from David in response to the final paragraphs I'd sent him the night before, and saw....

:)

I'm to assume at this point that we're off to the final draft and the galley. The story remains untitled at this point, after being called "Broken" since its inception, which concerns me a bit, but really isn't for me to dwell on anyway. I managed to get in my two cents on the subject by saying that I was hoping for something original. Hoping for a reader to Google the title and not find thirty-thousand entries to sift through until boredom wins out. So we'll wait and see.

As for now...my brain hurts, and my family's been neglected. I think its time for some R & R at the pool...reading a good book that someone else wrote for a change.

Thanks for reading:)

22 comments:

Roland D. Yeomans said...

Instead of BROKEN how about CRUCIBLE?

Like how steel is forged.

Arthur Miller wrote a 1953 play about the Salem witchcraft trials entitled THE crucible.

But as one word titles go, CRUCIBLE might be close to what you are aiming for in a title.

I know you must have a lead weight lifted off your chest, Elliot. Rest Sunday. You earned it.

Always in your corner, Roland

Anne Gallagher said...

Congratulations Elliot! That's fantastic news! And yes, now is the time for some R&R. You totally deserve it.

Christine Danek said...

Great news! Congratulations. Definately, take time to rest. You have worked hard and deserve it.

Nicole Murray said...

What a relief for ya. Congrats!!!! Reminding me of my oh so lovely edits to come...sigh.

Jemi Fraser said...

Congratulations! What a great feeling that must be :)

Enjoy your well-earned R&R!

Unknown said...

Glad you knocked it out, Elliot. Hang in there!

On a side note, are you sure your editor isn't really someone you ticked off who's out to make your life hell simply by being cryptic? He didn't LOL you, so that's a good sign in my book.

Seriously, congrats, sounds like you've made that sucker as good as it can be.

Golden Eagle said...

Congratulations! :)

vic caswell said...

YIPEE!!!
Congratulations!
(and since i know you like them...)
:)

Lola Sharp said...

This is a real cause for celebration! *tosses confetti*
I'll drink to that, Elliot. Cheers! *clink*

Well done, my friend. :)

Unknown said...

Celebrations!!
Congratulations on getting there.

Heather Kelly said...

That's so wonderful. I hope you take a long break and recharge. It's good to know that a revision can actually be completed!! :)

Robert Guthrie said...

Major, major congrats!

Elliot Grace said...

...funny thing about relaxing the mind, thoughts wander. Next thing you know, an idea pops into your head in between the water slides and the lifeguard ordering your teenager outta pool for dunking his little brother, and all you end up doing is spending your day lost in thought...dreamin up another plot.

Thanks for reading and your support:)

Terry Stonecrop said...

Congratulations!!!

So true about relaxing the mind, it seems to lure that impish muse:) Good show.

Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barré said...

WooHoo! Way to go, Elliot, that's awesome! I'm so happy for you. Enjoy your R and R!

~ that rebel, Olivia

dolorah said...

Congrats, and good luck with whatever plot concepts come next. Might they involve a bully dunking a boy, and the sweet revenge of the bullied child? LOL

Our kids are a constant source of inspiration. Everytime I turn around with mine I'm thinking "I wonder if I could use that in my novel somehow?"

Try to relax a little at least.

.......dhole

The Words Crafter said...

Well, of course your brain has a new idea. The pressure was off and it could display something it's been hiding away for you. Congratulations and bravo!!!

Roland D. Yeomans said...

I'm glad you like CRUCIBLE for a possible title. Nothing would make me happier than to help you in some small way, Roland

L.C. Gant said...

Yay, congrats! Ditto on the R&R by the pool. That sounds lovely. Enjoy!

Tara Maya said...

Re-writes, ouch. Finished re-writes, yeah! Enjoy.

Terry Stonecrop said...

Hi Elliot, I have something for you at my blog so stop by when you get a chance:)

DEZMOND said...

nothing better to put a smile on your face than a smiley from your editor ;)