Doin' a happy dance

TA-da-da-DA! I have completed a new first draft! It's the mainstream novel for adults that I started last summer, and between working on the graphic novel and baby needs, I've somehow been able to seize enough time to complete it! It's not huge, but a hearty 55,000 words nonetheless.

These past few weeks, I've been like a bloodhound on the scent, crazed with how close I am and eager to finish it off. I've been obsessed with taking my daily word count, imagining again and again the final scenes that separated me from the finish of the book, nearly insane to get it done. And now it is!

I'm addicted to the rush I get on completing a first draft. No part of the writing process is more difficult or more rewarding to me. Now I have something. It's not just an idea, not just a hope of a book someday. It is a real live draft! I'll run through it again, and then I get to start sharing it with people. First, my husband, because he's always first. And then, because this one is a non-fantasy mainstream book, I'll have my writer friend Shauna take a look. She writes in this genre as well, so she's an ideal reader (unlike Dean, who will not get this one, bless his heart--he might say, "It's good, but it needs more giant robots"). Then I'll start rewriting on their notes and on my own insights after I get some distance from it. I need to be working on Jack and the new Bayern book this year, so rewrites will be interspersed and slow (particularly as my writing time is more limited than ever). But I have something tangible! It so rocks.

Comments

[Nikki]

Congratulations! What a great feeling. I hope you're going to do something to celebrate today. I think all completed first drafts should be celebrated. I'm making a cake if you want to come over. (Actually I really am. It felt like a cake day. Perhaps this blizzard reminded me of frosting or something. Call it pregnant cravings.) Congrats again!

[Laura]

Hey, you're supposed to be on maternity leave! Hmmm...maybe it's time to look into a 12-step program, Shannon.

On second thought, I'm rather fond of the end result of your addiction. Carry on.

[Faith #2]

this is great! WE posted on LR, that's exciting! Another book! But an adult one. :( Oh well, i'll still read it!:D congrats, I'm only 36 pages into MY novel. >:(

[kirsten]

I can only imagine that first-draft rush - but congrats!

The more you write, the more I get to read - woo hoo!

[Mads]

It's sounds like you have a "writer's high". It's something like a "runner's high", when athletes get that amazing feeling of accompishment after working really hard at something.... Wow! I actually was able to pay attention in chemistry today!

Congrats Shannon, enjoy the feeling while it lasts... :o)

[Nita]

It sounds like other writers come to this blog, so I don't mind admitting that I'm one of them. What a great feeling, Shannon! I also finished a first draft this past Saturday. Not as long as yours; I write shorter works for children. But I had that glowy feeling all weekend. It's sort of like a Veni Vidi Vici thing isn't is? (Not sure I spelled that right. It means "I came, I saw, I conquered.)

So do you have a working title? I'd love to hear more about it!

I am SO HAPPY that a new Bayern book is coming! HOORAY!!! I was under the impression it was a trilogy and when I finish River Secrets I felt sad. I thought "No more Isi. No more Enna. No more Razo." I can't imagine who the next book will be about! Finn, maybe?

My sister and I were joking about what 'power' would be revealed in the fourth Bayern book, since the other three are wind, fire, and water. We were saying "Maybe it's a dirt speaker. Maybe the person can fling dirt at people!" (LOL) I have no idea! Can't wait to read it!

I'm ramblings so I'm gonna back off now!

Nice job, Shannon! Buy yourself a jumbo candybar!

[Cristina]

A Bayern book in one of Ani's sibling's point of view, please, please, please!

[Elizabeth]

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If I wasn't totally bushed, I'd be dancing with you. Instead I'll just applaud you.
*claps for Shannon*
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!

[Laini]

Wonderful news!! I know just what you mean -- there's no feeling like finishing a first draft! I cried when I typed "the end" at the end of Blackbringer! Can't wait to read Austenland (it sounds SO right up my alley) and the new one too, whenever it hits the world!

[sara]

wow, that's so great! i have yet to finish a story i've started, but i can certainly imagine the feeling. i can't wait for all of your books to come out! austenland, rapunzel's revenge, the next bayern book, everything. enjoy your writing!

[Faith]

I got 'the rush' feeling when after working so long on and art project and entered it in the Art State Fair, I heard someone say, "Look at that! Isn't that a great picture?" And I looked and it was mine with a blue ribbon on it. I was so excited i actually started shrieking. :D lol!

[Enna Isilee]

One day I may know this joy. But for now...

YAY! I'm so excited!

Shannon one of the things I love about you is that you're such a diverse writer. You write YA and Adult and graphic novels. You're so amazing.

[Anne]

I wish I can say the same thing about my essay that's due on Friday. I wish we can trade brains for awhile Shannon ... just long enough for me to finish my essay. My brain is bone-dry.
This is me procrastinating: rereading all the comments here.
Somebody please give my brain some juice.

[Emily]

I'm so excited that you're writing another Bayern book! I'm OBSESSED. I'm rereading GG and River secrets right now (at the same time, since I can't decide which I like better). I love that you can write books so fast, I wouldn't be able to stand it if I had to wait! And I'm really looking forward to reading Austenland, I love Pride and Prejudice, but I haven't seen the TV version. Congratulations on finishing your draft! I tried writing a book once. It was about ten pages, and then I stopped because I decided that plots are important and my story didn't have one :)

[Lauren]

Just hearing about all of these books is making me want to do a happy dance myself. *engages in said dancing*. Congrats on the new first draft! Sounds exciting!

[Mollie and Sylvia]

Hi Shannon, we are at school (meant to be doing IT work). and are simply are THRILLED to hear about the prospect of a new wad of paper and ink written by you! :P Congratulations, can't wait for the next installment!

[Anon]

What is the title of this new book? I'll read it anyway. Will you use a pseudonym?

Secondly, of course it's a quartet. Four "elements"-air, fire, water and now earth. It will not be Finn. Finn is getting married. He can't be rushing off to save the world. Enna will probably have a baby by the end.*cough*

[Callie the Strongbad Fan]

Cool Shannon! Good job at working so hard on writing! I can't wait to read it.

[Q]

Wow! =D

[Faith]

um, by the way, some people haven't read RS, so that might be a small spoiler, anon.:)
why earth? IN GG it said 'tree'.

[Nita]

What's wrong with a baby? I'm sure Enna will be a great mom. Think how easily she can warm the milk!(LOL)

The fourth book could possibly be about Napralina, since she's made an appearance now. I don't really think so, though. I guess I thought it might be Finn because it always seemed that Ani, Enna, Razo, and Finn are the main characters. I guess it could be Geric too, but I don't expect it.

Or maybe a few years will have passed and the story will be about Tusken! (Shannon, you must be laughing as you read all this guessing we're doing.)

Faith, you're right. Ani's aunt does say in the first book that she can't here the voice of wind or fire or tree. Good point.

I guess we'll have to wait (and wait and wait) and see!

[Faith #2]

um, I believe Shannon has said the book is about Rin, Razo's little sister.
and I agree, *SPOILER* though enna IS married, nothing is wrong with her being a character. isi was.

[Anon]

No, she did all her stuff, then married Geric. Also, why would Enna need to warm her own milk? Unless human biology is different in Bayern, it should be the just the right temperature for feeding. Also, the *cough* was about the fact that Finn can't be running about Bayern if Enna is to have a baby. *cough* Now do you get it?

[Nita]

Wow! Really? Rin? I never would have guessed her! I was thinking of Conrad too. Since the first two books had female main characters, I thought the last two would have male main characters. Guess that's just my warped sense of symmetry!

If it's about Rin I know I'll love her. Plus it means we'll get to see more of Razo and who can NOT love that adorable oaf? (I mean that very affectionately.)

Thanks Faith#2!

[Nita]

Enna warming the milk was only meant as a light-hearted joke. I do know they didn't have formula in those days!

[Amber]

Congratulations on finishing the first draft! I have no idea how you manage. My daughter is six months old and my manuscript is trickling by... You're an inspiration for me to get it done quickly and well!

[Faith #2]

well, she SPOILER helped Enna in her prison with Sileph.

when will this new work be published? And do we have a title yet, for any of your new books?

and having an adventure when married isn't' impossible!:D

[Q]

Yes, but having an adventure with a baby is probably pretty hard. :P

[asha]

oooh, are you going to give us even a tiny hint as to what it's about? please!

[Jane]

::dances a jig::

I can't wait!

[Draco Virgo]

cool! what's the next bayren book going to be called?

[Liesolotte]

I hope Bayern isn't just a quartet! I want it to keep going. Rin would be cool, I think she's probably the most likely.

[Enna Isilee]

While I want the Bayern books to never end. I don't think that writing too many of them is the answer. Sometimes the best thing to do is to just stop. Because if there are a ton than you wont apprieciate them as much.

[duchessaofrandomness]

mmmmm....I would LOVE some spoilers!

[Guin]

Don't we ALL need more giant robots, after all? ;)

[Rika]

Giant robots, spoilers and books! Wow, I missed in the four days I didn't visit this site! :)
Congratulations Shannon!
Do you have a title for the new Bayern book?

[Lindsey]

Ooo, Shannon, I am so happy for you. Can we PLEASE have a hint of the new Bayern book? Please?
And, yes, I would LOVE some spoilers. Leak them, please!

[Faith #2]

what's the title of Bayern #4? please, I don't mind spoilers- actually, once the book is out I mind them, but before hand I don't care! :D :D :D :D

[duchessaofrandomness]

MMMM...SPOILERS ARE PART OF THIS WELL BALENCED BREKFAST!

[Q]

I don't think she will disclose the title until the book is finished. :P

[frynza]

Oooh, spoilers! Sounds good! (hint hint)

[Nita]

I was curious, Shannon, if your titles were changed from their original form. I suspect The Goose Girl is the same since it was based on the fairy tale (which you greatly improved) but did you come up with Enna Burning? It's a very intriguing title. When I loaned it to my sister, my mom could never remember the title, though! I'd call her up and she'd say, 'Well, Angie's been reading the burning book.' (LOL) Just wondered if any of your works had different working titles. Be cool to hear about it!