Last night, I sat down to write. A little while later, this happened:
I think … I think I just finished the draft of A Magic Dark and Bright.
— Jenny Perinovic (@JennyPerinovic) January 16, 2013
Yeah. I know. I KNOW.
Several things happened: I finished the scene I was writing, which also happened to be the last scene of the book. I burst into tears. I sat staring at my computer screen for a few minutes, then called upstairs to Eric. He read it (he took ENTIRELY TOO LONG to read it – at least, that’s what it felt like, while I sat on the couch and tried to breathe), then turned to me and grinned.
An entire first draft, done. It feels entirely different from the first draft of Flightless – then, I knew I was in over my head, I knew that the story was going to have to be rewritten entirely and the entire draft would have to be tossed. I felt overwhelmed by the sheer amount of work ahead of me, and I knew I wasn’t ready to even think about starting it. Now? It’s like this:
I’m SO HAPPY. I mean – it’s a really ugly, misshapen and ill-mannered draft right now, but it’s MINE.
— Jenny Perinovic (@JennyPerinovic) January 16, 2013
It’s really, really rough right now – actually, it’s more like a sketch of a book than a book, but I’m okay with that. I know (mostly) where I’m going from here, (I think) I know how to fix what’s wrong, and I’m really excited to get started on making it something I can be proud of. I can’t wait to make it even creepier and darker and more atmospheric. I can’t wait to start fleshing out some of my characters, or to make my setting feel more real.
I’m going to let it sit for a little while, while I gather together all of the notes I’ve been taking over the past few weeks and get my thoughts in order. I made the decision to not send out this draft to my CPs until I make some really substantial changes to it, because frankly? It’s not very readable right now. There are huge holes, and I changed some things mid-draft that I need to add to the beginning. Once I get it in order, and I have it making sense, you guys (who know who you are!) will get it.
Until then – I have a lot of work to do!
I am so so so so so so SO SO SO SO SO PROUD of you, lady! You did it! IT’S DONE! No TGNA forfeit for you! I can’t wait to read it. The bits I glimpsed are enthralling, so. You know. Don’t let it sit too long. JUST SAYIN’.
<3 <3 It won't be too long, I promise!
Oh CONGRATS Jenny! This is so wonderful.
Thanks, Kyrie! <3
Congratulations! I hope we get to read this book one day
I hope so, too! I really can’t wait to finish it up and let it out into the world!
This is so incredibly awesome. Celebrate!
Oh, trust me, I am!
Thanks, Amanda!
Yay! This is such a huge milestone. Congrats – I know how much time and effort you’ve put into this.
Thank you, Clem! I still have a lot of work ahead of me, but it’s a start.
Eeee, so exciting! Congrats, Jenny. The hardest part of writing (the first draft!) is over. Now comes the (only slightly) less easier part… revising and rewriting.
Oh, thank you! I’m really excited to get started.
Congratulations! It’s a great feeling, isn’t it? I probably won’t finish my own WIP for a while, but other people finishing things inspires me to get myself into gear and at least make progress. Good luck with revisions!
Thanks, Sarah! It feels awesome. I have so much work ahead of me, but I’m really excited for it. Good luck!
Ahhhh, this is so exciting!!! Congrats! YOU DID IT! I know it’s going to be amazing too.
Hopefully come March I can join the club of first draft finishers!
Thanks Alyssa!
I have no doubt you’ll be done soon!
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