I have finished my novel and have just completed my last edit...I thought the two before this one were the last,hey ho what do I know! Now I am sure I can go no further as I am too close to see any work that needs doing, that is now up to an editor, fingers crossed! This has nothing to do with actual writing, but it's this end bit where all the hours of "writie" stuff stops, the first part of the story is finished and the nest is empty, until I start the second of the trilogy I feel like my child has left home. (I'm not quite ready to start the next yet, still letting go) Please tell me it's not just me and I can cancel the session with my psychiatrist? Regards hoping for more like me, Paul.
Thank you all, it is good I'm not the only mad man/woman trying to share my imagination with others. Yes of course you are correct the only way to get past it is to get the editing done by someone who can actually understand the dynamics of the English language, I can't! and tell me where to put it right, bit like my piano teacher back in the mid 50s, her impartial consideration was... singing lessons! I will be getting back on the metaphorical bike in the new year with the next book in the trilogy and hope I get further than the title which so far is all I have, hey ho, maybe Santa will bring some brain cells.
Once again thank you all for all the help encouragement guidance over the last year and may I reiterate my wish to you all for a brilliant Christmas time and a fulfilling new year to come. With that to all a good night and a good night to all HO HO HO.
Warmest Regards Paul G
No psychiatrist needed, Paul - just the acceptance that as a writer you put yourself on the page with every word you write, and leaving that part of yourself behind is the hardest part of the whole process.
We're an insecure lot, we writers: our craft is intensely personal. 'Is it good enough?' means, 'Am I good enough?' By putting our work out there we are being incredibly brave. So - brave and insecure: the writer is a conundrum!
Have an excellent Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you too, Paul! And yes, it's completely normal to feel the way you do, at least as far as I'm concerned. I find the best cure is to get on with the next story, then come back to your first book and see how you feel. I can't tell you the number of times I've edited my first book, but now it's with a professional editor and I think I will leave it at that.
And Jonathan is spot on! Take a break and enjoy the holidays xx