Last night I typed “The End” on my manuscript, A Certain Woman of Worth.
After working diligently for just under a year, learning the craft of writing, editing, perfecting Point Of View, joining critique groups and doing even more editing I had written 93,362 words.
I typed those two important words. “THE END” Seemingly innocent by themselves, but together significant in what lay before them. A story that gripped my heart, danced through my mind (often at inopportune times, like when I wanted to go to sleep at 2am) and stirred my soul. A story that demanded to be written, one painstaking word at a time. A story that comes from my own store of hurts and trials, to speak forth truth and freedom. Of course, that’s just my opinion, others might think otherwise and want to use it to light the fire. But each to his/her own. 🙂
But after all the effort of getting there, I typed The End and sat there, laptop on my lap, cool draft blowing past me, cooling my nose. I blinked at the screen, expecting joyous emotions to flood me or Something Significant to happen.
And it didn’t. As one of my critique partners and friends pointed out, you kind of expect there should be music and a marching band or something. Instead nothing changes except that you typed, “the end.”
Oh, well. I determined that I would celebrate in spite of my reticent feelings. Today I brought a packet of caramel Tim Tam’s and a can of pepsi for myself and a box of Shapes biccy’s along with a bag of marshmallows for the children- for being patient with me and for their encouragement.
We eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we… no wait, I’m rewriting the end of that. …for tomorrow we write again!
Tomorrow, I shall give free reign to the new story ideas that have been bugging me for about the last six months. I shall plot and dream, and most importantly–write! 🙂
Makes me think when we come to our own End in real life. What happens then. Well, good news if you have trusted Jesus to be your Saviour–you can expect a ‘happy ever after’ with Him in heaven. And God being God, He celebrates things differently to us. He celebrated when we first trusted Jesus to save us, (kind of like the very first words of our fictional story, the Once Upon A Time) and when we get to heaven He will celebrate again. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.’
How about you? How do you celebrate “The End”? Do you do anything special to mark the occasion? Are you still dreaming of writing those famous last words, if so how would you like to celebrate that occasion?
Lucy Thompson 
As Rosewood is very close to being released my hubby is taking me out for dinner for a celebration (he also is busy with boys all weekend).
But I love typing those words but I at times feel bereft as I am saying good bye to those people I have had time invested into their creation and their lives. Last time I wrote the last chapter I was on holidays and hubby said ‘I shouldn’t be working’ but Jessica and Patrick wouldn’t let me be.
I did realise though that there was months of editing to be done. To take out passive voice and my pet word (just) But there was a feeling of safisfaction, i told the people i was staying with “I just finished my novel”
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Congratulations on the near release of Rosewood. 🙂 That’s great you have the support of your husband and children, makes life much easier! All the best as you write for His glory.
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Thank you so much Lucy!!!! I have just finished my debut novel re-write….and the next day, I sat down at the computer and realised that I didn’t have to work on it…so I felt lost! I love the fact that you celebrated, it’s inspired me to do like-wise!
So instead of launching straight into the re-write of my sequel…I will stop and mark the occasion. 🙂
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Yes! Do celebrate 🙂 You have put in a huge effort and should do something to reward yourself, even if it is just a nice hot cup of tea and 20mins peace 😉
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Congratulations, dear Lucy! I’ve loved reading your facebook updates on your writing adventures. I’m so thrilled for you and can’t wait to hear and read more of your wonderful accomplishments in the days to come.
Many blessings
Dotti 🙂
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Thank you, Dotti. You are a wonderful encourager and a dear friend. Blessings in return to you and yours. 🙂
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Congratulations well done!! and may there be many more. My hat is taken off to you, a mother of four and now an Author, how great is that. God Bless you and Pray the book sells well. Much love. Crystal Mary Lindsey
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Hi Crystal, thank you for your lovely words. I’m praying there are many more as well. 🙂
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Congratulations Lucy. The time I remember most vividly was when I posted mine to the Caleb awards as a manuscript. I remember handing it over the counter at the Post Office and have the ridiculous feeling that I should be taking pictures! Like a new born baby or similar! Not surprising given the hours of labour! Blessings on it and you. 🙂
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There are many, many hours of labour, aren’t there? And it does feel a bit like a baby. 🙂 Glad you understand! I’ve learnt to let it go and stand on it’s own merit though, as well, and not coddle my manuscript. Never thought of taking pictures 🙂 Thanks for your blessings.
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I can’t remember the first time I wrote ‘the end’. Must be twenty years ago. These days I sit back with a satisfied sigh, and then like you said, give free reign to the other ideas bouncing around in my head. And so, it all begins again.
Right now, with 15,000 odd words left to go on my current MS, I am already researching the next, so I’ll be ready to go. I will let the current one rest for a month before I edit, so I will have put some distance between us and I can edit with more objectivity.
It’s a great feeling of accomplishment though, every time you finish a full length novel. Blessings!
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Congratulations to you on nearly completing another manuscript! Wow. Well done. 🙂 It is a great feeling though. 🙂
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Lucy,well put. I remember writing on a Saturday in the middle of May last month. I wrote almost 9,000 words that day. And “The End” came much quicker than I thought it would.
For me, I may not have acutaly heard the full symphonic orchestra but in my mind I was playing a masterpiece. I was eccstatic beyond words. I just could believe I had finished the first fiction novel I had ever even attempted to write. And besides the first two chapter, I had written that novel in about a month and a half to two months. To say it was exciting just doesn’t seem to be enough of a word to portray how I felt to finish that novel.
Of course the real work began with the editing, as I am still doing that now, but the fact is I am one of those that actually was able to write “The End.”
I am so happy and proud of you. We get to go on this writing journey together and grow together as well. I feel blessed to have you in my life.
Congrats again my friend on writing “The End.” You have done a fabulous job.
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To celebrate I go back to the beginning and EDIT. 🙂
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Great minds think alike, I’m doing sort of the same. Although I’m editing the last 3-4 chapters. I’m sick of the first couple of chapters I’ve been over them so much. Chapter One alone had between 25-30 critiques. I prefer to edit than to write. Sad, but true. All the best with your writing, editing. 🙂
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Congratulations! That was a mammoth effort! Well done!
I pray God’s richest blessings on you as you seek to have your work published. Can I put my order in for a signed copy?
Enjoy your new-found freedom to explore other story ideas.
God bless you.
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Thanks! 🙂 You may put your order in for a signed copy. How come I don’t think of saying that about your sermon’s… oh, well, remind me on Sunday. 🙂 God bless you also.
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