Yesterday, I wrote The End on the second Dragon Queen book (one more to go). Ends are my real weak point, because I tend to rush and have a hard time slowing down and getting everything in the first time around. I imagine the end is what I will devote the most time to in the edits/revisions stage. That's some time to come, though, and I refuse - refuse! - to think about it. My brain has other ideas, and wants to think and continue creating; it's all wound up from the intense three weeks of writing that ushered in the majority of DQ Book 2. My brain is not the boss! I know better than to keep creating; this is wind-down time and refresh time.
I intend to finish making and mailing my wedding invitations, quilt a square or two for my block-a-month quilt project (haven't done Feb yet or picked up the March block), and get in some reading. I don't read fiction right after a book, though; once my muse accepts the fact I'm not giving her free reign anymore, at least for a time, she curls up and retreats. I think that's part of the reason I have difficulty with the early portions of a new book, but I digress. Reading-wise, I turn to nonfiction instead of fiction. I especially enjoy diet books. Is that bizarre? I'm by no means a chronic dieter, but I like to get back in touch with my physical side after spending so much time with my mental side during the course of a book.
Currently, I'm reading Bob Greene's The Best Life Diet, and have designs on re-reading DQ Book 1 (how's that for narcisstic?) to prepare for edits on DQ Book 2. In between the diet book and the self-written book, I'll TRY to squeeze in a just-for-pleasure novel. I keep eyeing Patricia Briggs' new Mercy novel, which has been sitting on my bookshelf for the last 6 weeks, and last night I picked up Melanie Jackson's Writ on Water. Let's not talk about the books I've forgotten I have, and leave them for another time, shall we? Makes me feel less guilty that way. :)
What do you all do after you finish writing a new book, or even after you finish a (fiction) book for pleasure? Does your brain need a time-off, cooling-down, recharging period?
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4 comments:
Well, I tend to do more editing than writing, so I can't speak for the writing. As far as editing goes, I can edit two or three MS's at a time, go through them within a week's time, and then I need a break for a day or two, sometimes longer depending on the intensity of the edits. I think I've edited four or five in a two week span before, after which my brain was mush as all of the editing is done after 9 pm for three or four hours.
BTW, yours is next, Emily. (grin)
Marci
That grin's lookin' a little evil, Marci :)
I gave in and started working on a different story. Muse wouldn't let me rest.
I tend to write in spurts. When I'm into a book, I write-write-write and generally finish it in like 6 weeks. Then I take a month or so off to recharge, during which I do more editing (and no writing) and a TON of reading.
Of course, I read all the freaking time, no matter what. I'm on like my 20th full-length novel of the year, since Jan 1. I'm not even counting the short stories or novellas. It's a sick obsession.
I usually have a bonfire and dance in the moonlight, lol! I just recently finished my first novel-length manuscript, so I celebrated!! I took my son to dinner, then when I got home I already had an idea for another one...YEAH!!
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