Late last night I finished a book I have been working on for many years. I was done. Finished. I could send it in to my editor. We’ve both worked long and hard. This is a book that changed my life. But that is another story. For the moment, relief. Not joy. Relief.
I went to bed thinking about it. How could I not? Twenty minutes later I got up and returned to my computer and worked on the last page. The last line. Done. Finished. Really finished. I went to bed, again. Read a book about the joys of reading (not writing).
In the morning I got up, went to my computer, and rewrote that last page. Last line. Jumped here and there, fiddled. Changed.
Is a book ever done? I don’t think so. I suppose it is a case of diminishing returns. You change less and less. And yet, one small change can make a difference. A big difference. I have had that experience.
Am I done? Think so. I’ll just take one more look …
4 thoughts on “Is a book ever done?”
Ho, does this sound familiar! Once again, you capture it so well … Lately, I’ve been holding on to ms. longer, just for that benefit of distance and that ability to rewrite one more line, one more page …
Dear One: You will never know how helpful your latest posts have been. You have changed my mind, my writing life. Thank you. Feb-hugs…Lee
Sharon: Yes, there is always one more something… and when the book is published, you’ll find more, right? Sigh .…
Lee: Glad to help change your mind and writing life …just not the rest.
Love to you both.
Avi
Thank you, Avi, for your post! I can identify. Haven’t figured it out yet.
On we go!
Gillian