Thursday 28 May 2009

Six letters I've been longing to write!!

Cloudy, showers, cool, temps 10

Yayayay!

At 4:05 this afternoon I wrote:

THE END

Oh, my God - an amazing, blessed, feeling. I sat back on the sofa, raised my arms, put my heard back and yelled, 'Yay!' Then I said a little prayer of thanks. Then I says "Yay!' again.

yippee.

Michael had been so amazing - looking after everything else for three months while I wrote like a fiend.

And - as though life could get any better - the septic tank is in (again!) and the city inspector says it's OK!!!!

Off to Knowlton tomorrow morning to celebrate with breakfast...containers of crap, and a new book. Perfect!

This is the first draft, still need to do revisions and editing and fine tuning and all that...but for me (and I suspect most writers) the first draft is the hardest.

tomorrow I need to update stuff for my agent and write a speech...but what don't I have to do???

oh yes - write a first draft!!!!

THE END

9 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Congratulations! Do you ever get used to the feeling of accomplishment when you're done? Does it get easier with each successive book? Even if it's just the first draft? You've inspired me to have a go at this writing thing. I've been thinking about doing it for several years and this summer is the time. I'm up to 21,000 words and going strong (so far). Great fun, even if it goes nowhere.
P.S. A friend in my knitting club has just had her first novel accepted for publication--a french language work of fiction inspired by her travels as a foreign affairs spouse. Our whole club is planning to turn out for the launch at the National Archives next fall.

Jeanine said...

Congratulations! This is wonderful news. We are all celebrting right along with you. You do all the work ... we reap unspeakable pleasure. Hip Hip Hooray! Thank you for your persistence.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! You must feel exultant today.

I am especially looking forward to reading this book because (1) I'm in great need of a fix of your wonderful prose and (2) the setting is Quebec City.

My partner and I were married there (actually on Ile d'Orleans) four years ago yesterday, and in the pre-wedding preparations and post-wedding celebrations, we became very familiar with Quebec City (including La Glissade, the terrifying toboggan run on the Terrase Dufferin that you described so well in this blog a few months ago.)

We look forward to Chief Inspector Gamache's observations as he walks through those beautiful, historic streets.

Hooray for you!

Brenda B. in Maine

Rebecca Rose said...

Yay Louise on finishing the first draft. I finished my first draft on the novel that I am going to try polishing and sending off for publication. I've written others but while I think they have some good points to them need almost a complete rewrite, so I'm going to start by concentrating on the one that I like and go from there. The writing advice on your website is much appreciated.
Thanks again,
Rebecca Rose

Louise Penny Author said...

Dear Elizabeth,

Oh fabulous for your friend! And for you. I always think the first 20 thousand words are the hardest...actually, the first 5 thousand. Just getting up the courage to do it - to set out the characters, the setting, the tone. To find the style.

I am SO impressed. I know how much courage goes into it.

Brava!!

Louise Penny Author said...

Dear Jeanine,

And thank you for your wonderful, supportive, words. Cannot tell you how much they mean to me. Thank you!

Louise Penny Author said...

Dear Brenda,

Oh, to be married on Ile d'Orleans - a stunning island with those beautiful villages and homes, just off Quebec City. Wow.

Yes - it was fun seeing QC through Gamache's eyes...including the ice slide.

Louise Penny Author said...

Dear Brenda,

Oh, to be married on Ile d'Orleans - a stunning island with those beautiful villages and homes, just off Quebec City. Wow.

Yes - it was fun seeing QC through Gamache's eyes...including the ice slide.

Louise Penny Author said...

Dear Rebecca Rose,

How fabulous - to write The End - isn't it!!!

And yes, keep editing and enjoying it. how exciting this is! Thank you for being so supportive.