THE Group for Authors! discussion

Greetings authors of all types!

I wish to ask you the following question. What feelings and thoughts do you experience immediately after finishing the first, rough draft of your next upcoming book? I've always been curious as to what motivates other writers to continue contributing to literature. Please, don't hold back! Add humour if you must. I look forward to reading your replies.

A. G. Fleury

First thoughts: Hallelujah! I've finally finished the "puke draft" [just get it all out—no rereading or editing, don’t worry about it being good, or even it making sense].
Now the real work begins.

I agree with Maggie. When I have taught workshops I've always told my student to give themselves permission to write badly on that first draft. I try to put my first drafts aside for a while, let it cook, before I take it out for that first re-read. The longer I can let it cook, the better. My eyes and internal editor will be less biased. I once let a novel cook for nearly 20 years. In fact, it's the one I am working on right now. When I found it again, after a move, I thought it had some merit, but needed serious rewriting. (I'm a better writer than I was then.) It has now gone through about 6 rewrites and a reading from my agent. Now it's ready for the real editor, and whatever re-writing will once again be necessary. The real writing is the re-writing.

I wrote my first book this year. It took me 10 weeks to get the first draft out. 110k words.

I wrote "The End" and just cried. I had never finished something like this before.

I am teaching myself proper writing techniques, story structure, character building, arcs, worldbuilding, self editing, and ALL THE THINGS. Now I'm on draft 3 and can see how much my craft has improved in just three months. I can't believe I am capable of something like this.

I just feel so damn proud. I hope this feeling comes with every "The End"

Well done. Good for you! That's an amazing achievement. It is very emotional, and highly satisfying to write The End. I'm hoping to do it my second time in about 2 or 3 months time! Wish me luck, and congratulations!

For all budding novelists, I highly recommend Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How to Edit Yourself Into Print. I still use it, even though I've got 7 published novels under my belt.

aw poop
now the HARD work starts

Good call, Maggie. I always tell my students they have to write a million words before they can write that 60,000 that finds a publisher. That might be a dated idea but I find most new writers don't want to learn the value of re-writing.

Re-writing by self-editing is helpful because the same errors can be avoided in the next edit, writing, etc. Although, it is something learned, not spiritually infused in our brains. But it's fun to make something better.

I bought a new book second edition " SELF-EDITING for FICTION WRITERS How to edit yourself into print" By Renni Brown & Dave King.

I have only read the intro so far. I will read it all before I finish my Trilogy.

A.G. wrote: "Greetings authors of all types!

I wish to ask you the following question. What feelings and thoughts do you experience immediately after finishing the first, rough draft of your next upcoming boo..."

I am a brand-new author who has just published a memoir/self-help book. I'm happy to answer this great question. Although I was excited to complete this book--as writing it was a very cathartic experience for me, I actually felt a bit sad when it was finished and submitted to be self-published. The process for me was the most exciting, satisfying and meaningful part of this experience. I wonder if other writers of similar genres feel the same..

Question: What do I experience when I finish the first complete draft of a book?

Answer: Thank heaven! Now I can start writing!

J. wrote: "Question: What do I experience when I finish the first complete draft of a book?

Answer: Thank heaven! Now I can start writing!"

And my answer is: Phew! I made it. I then reward myself with a day off, chocolate, and then I can't wait to start editing. I go through this process 4 or more times and each time I am amazed at where those sneaky commas have appeared from.

In reply to Kimberly, yes, I agree completely: the creative flow is unmatched.

Frances wrote: "In reply to Kimberly, yes, I agree completely: the creative flow is unmatched."

Thank you so much for your thoughtful response to my post. Enjoy the flow! It really is the process that's most fulfilling.