After finishing a book

Aug 30, 2008 23:45

Multiple choice: when I finish writing a novel (or other major creative work) I:

a) start writing another one
b) break out the champagne, have a little celebration, and move on
c) mark the occasion with an artifact of some kind
d) have a nervous breakdown
e) other (specify)

I'm thinking of more stained glass, myself, and I use c) to ward off d). Usually without much success. Here's what I wrote in my journal the last time I finished a draft of Plain Kate:

So, I finished the big edit to my first novel about a month ago, and having done nothing whatever since. I mean, yeah, I'm thrilled my agent loves it, thrilled that I'll soon (agent says) have an editor of my very own and a nice juicy contract.

It's just a pity that it will be my last book ever because I CAN'T WRITE!

Dunno. It's partly post-partum; I've felt that every time I finish a big project. And it's partly the I AM A REAL WRITER NOW feeling, keeping me from doodling and scribbling and exploring. But the truth is I have no idea what I want to doodle and scribble and explore about. I feel so useless.

I think my playfulness is broken.

Hope it goes better this time!  I do at least have another book in mind.  Not to mention a paycheque job to go back to in a week. 

writer funk

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