Last night marks a blessed event in my household. After days of wandering around in my pajamas, mumbling incoherently to myself, ignoring the kids and husband and dogs, living off anything I could whip up from a box because I was IN THE WRITER ZONE and totally didn't have time for menial tasks like brushing my hair or anything, I finished my YA demon novel, BREATHE.
I FINISHED IT.
Holy crap on a cracker, this is a magical moment, you guys. I wrote what I wanted. Not under contract. No stresses about the market or what will sell. Not trying to please anyone else. Just decadent, glorious writing. I forgot how amazing that feels. This is why we write--just falling in love with crafting words and worlds again, creating characters who grow and change along their journey.
I found my voice. I let myself slide under my heroine Cora's skin. Swooned over her relationship with Dominic. Entrenched myself in the exotic New Orleans, where I set the novel.
Saying "the end" to Cora and Dominic is a little hard, to tell the truth--these two teens pulled me from my worst writing slump ever. They hold a special place in my heart. I'm soooo looking forward to polishing this sucka up and getting it to my agent.
Needless to say, I'm thrilled to be "back" in the saddle. And to continue the festivities, I'm going to share my first real examples of writing. See, I didn't start out as a novelist--I was a poet in high school. A really, really, REEEEEALLY horrible poet with a one-track mind: love.
Lovity love loversons--the subject of 99% of my emo-laden poetry. And lucky for you, I'm gifting one of those Shakespearean-level poems to the world today. See how I twist and turn a striking and completely non-cliched phrase, yet still cleverly play with meter and rhythm. Ooh and awe over my fierce skills in using the word "alas," composing this poem with deft "angsty teen bubble-handwriting" penmanship.
Aaaaanyway, yay! I'll keep you posted on what happens with BREATHE. Have a great weekend, and I hope you sprinkle light drops of love on each rose petal you see. *snort*
Rose petals! Warm summer rain! Gently rolling streams! It's like Walden, but with more LOVE. It's full of epic awesomeness, just like you. Congrats on finishing the book, woman. You are amazing and I'm sooo happy for you!