Wednesday, December 7, 2016

In Which I Type “The End” {Colors of a Dragon Scale Series}



Yes, I do realize it’s Wednesday and not Monday. But my usual Monday post is late for a very specific reason. You see, I’ve been busy. Doing what, you ask? Oh, nothing important. Just…


FINISHING MY NANOWRIMO NOVEL.


YES. I FINISHED MORE GOLD THAN SUNLIGHT. WHICH MEANS MY COLORS OF A DRAGON SCALE SERIES IS FINISHED. WHICH MEANS I AM ALL THE HAPPY.


WILL I STOP USING CAPSLOCK?


NO.


OKAY, FINE. Ahem. Let’s try to form some coherent thoughts here. (But no promises.)


I finished NaNoWriMo 2016 with a total of 127,040 words—beating my record of most words written in a month. (My previous record was 125k done in NaNo ‘14.) Was I excited? JUST A BIT.



Buuut my novel wasn’t finished yet. Yeah. >.> So I did what any sane person would do (hahahah…haha…ha) and KEPT WRITING.


As of yesterday, December 6th 2016, I wrote “The End” of More Gold than Sunlight. To say I’m excited is the understatement of the century. And to say I’m exhausted is also an understatement.


I wrote 147,675 words in 36 days.


Writing 4-5k words nearly every. single. day. for 36 days is no joke! Out of all those 36 days I only took 3 of them off from writing. I’m beyond scraping the bottom of my creative juice barrel. I think there at the last I was just licking the boards at the bottom of said barrel, trying desperately to get the slightest remnant of creative juice but really just receiving splinters in my tongue. (wut? I need sleep…)


BUT I DID IT. And, as dramatic as my (really weird) analogies are, I actually enjoyed almost every minute of my NaNoWriMo 2016 (+first week of December) experience. Yes, I was ready to be done like…two or three weeks ago. And the size of this book overwhelmed me daily. But I can only think of a couple of times during my writing sessions that getting out those words was torturous. Once I started writing, I always enjoyed it. Writing a finale is an absolute blast. And writing a finale of a series that is near and dear to my heart is magical.

 

Me settling in with my Official NaNo Drink (a French vanilla cappuccino) getting
ready to write chapter 46, the final chapter.


And it’s finished.


Honestly, it feels surreal. Back in 2010, when I first got the idea of this series and decided to try to write each book for each NaNo, I had no clue I’d actually be able to do it. Sure, I dreamed of making it to the end one day, hoped it was possible. But 7 years is a long time. Lots of things could happen. Or not happen. Or change.


I really can’t believe I’m sitting here with an entire series under my belt.


I’ve never written an entire series before now. In fact, I’ve never once written even the 2nd book for ANY of my other series (because basically every book I write ends up being a series. >.>)! I’m the absolute worst about writing the first book of a big series or trilogy or something and then…moving on to something new and shiny. This is the first time I kept on with the series after writing the first book. Not to mention actually writing all 7 books.


That was the most satisfying “The End” I’ve ever typed. I didn’t even allow myself to type “The End” at the end of the first 6 books because, well, it wasn’t the end! (wow, what a sentence) I purposely waited for this very last book to be able to put those two simple but powerful words on the final page.


I’m not kidding when I tell you I had a hard time actually typing it because my hands were violently shaking. That’s how excited I was. And how much this story means to me.

 

The very moment I typed those two powerful words.


Now, it’s a disaster. The whole series. I mean, the clichés! The plot holes! The laughably unrealistic fight scenes! The inconsistencies! The WRITING! Sometimes I’m embarrassed to even talk about this thing because, gracious alive, SOMEONE SAVE ME FROM THIS RIDICULOUS MONSTER.


So do I regret starting this crazy journey?


Never.


The Colors of a Dragon Scale series has carried me through times of heartache and joy and growth. The world of Aerigethel is my home, and the characters my very best friends (or annoying siblings, depends on the day). Did you know I wouldn’t be talking to you on this blog right now if I hadn’t chosen to write this series? It’s true! I had such an amazing time during my first NaNo writing the first book, More Blue than Sky, that after I finished it I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that’s what I wanted to do with the rest of my life—write stories. Before then, it was more of an occasional hobby that I didn’t take very seriously. But because of my amazing first NaNo, because writing the first CoaDS book was so unbelievably magical, I never wanted to stop writing. So I started this blog, I began studying the writing craft, I wrote more stories. Each NaNo, I wrote the next book in the series, and via the NaNo site I made writing friends. And with those friends I made more friends, and through  blogging even more. I became part of this whole awesome writing community. I got motivation and inspiration and experience. My love for writing grew and grew and grew. I began breaking out of my comfort zone and trying new genres and actually *gasp* sharing my writing. I discovered what I liked and disliked. It even influenced my tastes in what I read.


Literally, almost everything I spend my time doing and love today is because of that moment I decided to write More Blue than Sky. Pretty much 92% of my life centers around writing in one way or another, and anything non-writing related I enjoy probably came from an influence of one of you dear writing friends. I’d be an entirely different person if I hadn’t have tried NaNoWriMo, and I think it’s the CoaDS books that really pushed me to keep doing NaNo and drove me toward this crazy writing-obsessed life I lead every day now.


Moral of the story: Just because your first draft may be an embarrassing, horrifying mess you want to bury under the ocean doesn’t mean it didn’t make an impact on your life.


One of NaNoWriMo’s taglines is Every Story Matters. And I 100% believe that.


I could make a whole, dragon-sized (get it, get it? *nudge, nudge*) list of things I’ve learned about writing by taking on this series. (But that’s a topic for a whole other post sometime.)


No, I will never regret writing the Colors of a Dragon Scale series. I couldn’t imagine, nor do I want to imagine, what my life would be like without it. It’s been with me from my time as an 18 year old, newly high school graduate, to a 24 year old adult (ya know, adult sometimes). It’s a permanent part of me now.



And I can’t believe I’m finished. For now. Yes, one day I will rewrite this thing, guys, I will! But I’m gonna be honest with you. It’ll probably be years before I even start. I knooow! And you guys have been so amazing encouraging me with this series. All your interest in it just gives me all the fuzzy feels. I can’t think you each enough for your support! Seriously, I don’t think I would have made it this far without all the encouragement. But, sadly, it will be a while before any of these books are readable. It’s going to take work. And I mean WORK. Like completely-rewrite-until-it-doesn’t-even-look-like-the-same-series work. For now, I have other stories that I want to focus on, namely Burning Thorns. But fear not! CoaDS is too dear to me to ever abandon completely. In fact, I’m nearly choking up just thinking about how I won’t be spending time with these characters again for a while. Each November it felt like I was returning home. That’s over. But, ya know, 7 years is a long time. It’s rather exciting to know I have the freedom to work on something new for each NaNo now. Still, I think NaNoWriMo time will always feels like CoaDS time to me, no matter what I’m writing. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.


So what shall I be doing now? NOTHING. Glorious, blissful nothiiiing! Because I DON’T HAVE TO WRITE. Not only has this monstrous thing demanded alllll my free time for the past 36 days, it also took up almost every minute of my October, because outlining it was a time-consuming headache. So, essentially, I’ve spent two entire months pouring my life into this one book. I’M READY FOR A WRITING BREAK, GUYS. I need to replenish my poor, bone-dry creative juice barrel. In fact, I may even extend my break through January. I haven’t decided yet though, we shall see how I feel at the time. But for now, I shall be hopefully watching the 239848 movies and TV shows I’ve been wanting to get to since I started NaNo and READING and listening to Christmas music probably 24/7 (I’m actually listening to Peppermint Winter by Owl City on repeat while writing this because it’s the best, happiest song ever created) and just ENJOYING life because IT’S DECEMBER which is pretty much the greatest month of the year. AND I AM FINISHED WITH MY BOOK.


To sum this up: NANOWRIMO 2016 WAS AMAZING AND I AM HAPPY AND I MAY BE DYING FROM BEING OVER CAFFEINATED BUT THAT’S OKAY BECAUSE MY BOOK IS FINISHED.

 

My final NaNo ‘16 stats


Stay tuned for snippets come Monday! (Hopefully. And the fact that I’m actually going to publicly put up snippets from this monster is proof I totally lost my mind during NaNo.)


So I need to know! Am I the only one who continued writing after NaNo? Or have you been actually sane people and are taking a well-deserved break? (I applaud you. I need some of your sanity.) How HAS your first week of December been??? And does anyone else suffer from writing first books of series and not getting around to the other books? BECAUSE I HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS. (Except this once.)

30 comments:

  1. CHRISTINE SMITH. I honestly don't have time to be commenting right now but I AM ANYWAYS BECAUSE /YOU FINISHED COADS/!!! *flails and tosses glitter everywhere* I MAY have squealed just a little when I saw the title of this post XD. *squeals muchly and hugs you*

    *deep breaths* Seriously though, I'm SO EXCITED for you! You spent SEVEN YEARS on this massive monster of a series. SEVEN. YEARS. *blinks in disbelief at those words, because seven years is a LONG TIME*. AND NOW YOU'RE DONE! YOU FINISHED! YOU ARE AMAZING AND SUPERHUMAN! (and my first draft words and your first draft words probably look a lot alike xD) *applauds you loudly and orders you not to write for the next ... however long you want a break for* This is crazy. THIS IS INSANE. YOU ARE AN INCREDIBLE WRITER, LAURI!!! *hugs because I'M SO EXCITED FOR YOU*

    *more deep breaths* Okay. Yes. There is my ramble xD. GOOD FOR YOU for ending your series, Christine! I can't wait until you need betas - because I will be one of them and it will be epic *nodnod*.

    *waits eagerly for the snippets* *they will be beautiful no matter what you say because CHRISTINE WRITING* xD

    ~ Savannah
    scattered-scribblings.blogspot.com

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    1. AND NOW I'M SQUEALING BECAUSE YOUR COMMENT!!!!!!! I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO SAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

      7 years IS a long time. o.O And yet, it honestly feels like I only just started this series. Writing the first book is still so vivid in my mind. It's craziness!

      EEP. I will be ecstatic to have you as one of my betas! Of course, we all may be in our 30s by the time these books are edited enough for beta-ing... *cough, cough, cough* BUT STILL.

      OH YOU. <333

      Delete
  2. Wow!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! *sends you virtual confetti* I feel like the word "congratulations" is way too weak and bland to convey the EPICNESS of what you've just accomplished! I cannot imagine what it would be like to have completed a seven-book series. Amazing. Just utterly AMAZING!!!

    I, too, shall wait eagerly for snippets. ;)

    ~Lizzy

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    1. LIZZY. THAT IS SO SWEET. AGH. Thank yooouuu!!!!! <3

      Awww! Hopefully they won't hurt your eyes TOO much. Such messy writing... Eheh.

      Delete
  3. CONGRATULATIONS MY BEAUTIFUL FAIRY! YOU DID IT! I'M SO PROUD OF YOU! And that many words in that many days? Girl, you're amazing!!

    I took a few days break but have kept writing. I'd like to finish mine by the end of the year but I don't know if that will happen.

    Take your break, your WELL DESERVED AND EARNED break and enjoy every second of it, darling.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. EEP. THANK YOU MY DEAR MALEFICENT. Lol. I think "crazy" would be more accurate than amazing. XD

      That was very wise of you to take a few days break. I prooobably should have done that myself. Eheh. I do so hope your epic story is going wonderfully and that you'll be able to finish soon! *waves pompoms*

      Thank you! I shall! :D It's so nice not feeling obligated to write for a while.

      Delete
  4. OH MY GOODNESS CHRISTINE YOU ARE AMAZING!!! I AM SO SUPER EXCITED FOR YOU AND FEEL SO PROUD TO KNOW YOU. *flails* (okay, caps lock off now)

    WAIT. SNIPPETS??? YUUSSSSS. I CAN'T WAIT. -ahem- Sorry. I'm excited. xD

    Seven years. I can't believe that you kept on going for seven years. IT'S JUST SO AMAZINGGGG!!! And I totally get the excitement of writing 'the end.' That would be so cool, after so long. *jumps up and down squealing*

    Now, girl. I know what you need. *gives you a blanket* You need bed. For a few years. Maybe seven, one for each book. xD

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    1. AGH, GIRL. THAT IS THE NICEST. THANK YOOOUUU!!!! (My capslock has been on so much lately. Hehe. Of course it always is...)

      *blushes* AWK. Oh goodness, thank you! I hope you'll like them. I was writing so fast I don't even know how my book turned out...heh.

      It's craziness! It really doesn't even feel like it's been seven years. It just went by so faaast! I'm kinda stunned that it's over. o.o

      A year long nap for each book? I APPROVE OF THIS PLAN. *happily wraps self in the blanket and hibernates*

      Delete
  5. *is basically dying*

    I seriously have no words. No words.

    You are basically superhuman to stick through this all. Your story is so touching and inspiring.

    And now you're done.

    Forget lowercase letters. YOU FINISHED. ALJFSKDALFLAKFJ. I'm getting chills, seriously EEP. O.o You are truly an elf like your blog says because elves are superhuman and amazing just like you.

    I'm still trying to get my mind around this. YOU FINISHED!! :O (sorry, I'm just going to not care about repeating what you absolutely already know. )

    *mad squealing*

    Oh, and you're not the only one who didn't finish during NaNo! Haaaa. Hahaa. Ahem. (I may or may not be only a third done with my novel and am kind of avoiding writing because it's discouraging to think about how far I have to go. KEEP ME ACCOUNTABLE. Because I just need to do the thing even when I think I can't. :P)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. *is actually dying*

      *may actually BE dead*

      EMILYYYYY. How do I even respond to this?? I just want to put your comment in my pocket and carry it around forever. THANK YOU, GIRL!!!! You're always so encouraging!

      Oh man, I hear ya! It's so overwhelming when you look at your novel as a whole and realize there's still so. much. to. write. What helps me is to just look at one chapter at a time or one scene at a time. Write a scene, and celebrate that. Then write the next. Next thing you know, you'll be at the end! BUT. You did AWESOME with NaNo and deserve a break, so don't pressure yourself to keep writing right now if you don't want to! You WILL finish it eventually, I know you will! Just be kind to yourself. *huggles*

      Delete
  6. So ends the saga (sad sniffle). But wow, what an achievement! An entire series of seven books, one for each November. That's an impressive feather in your cap!

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    1. *sniff, sniff* Yep. It's kinda crazy!

      Awwww, thank you, Blue!! I am very excited about it. ^_^

      Delete
  7. Your excitement is catching!:D....Congratulations, Christine!...it does sound like you've attempted the equivalent to climbing Mount Everest! I'm quite excited about your snippets. :D

    I'm not a writer. Merely a blogger who has to come up with some creative stuff as a full-time teacher, that, once in a while, involves churning out plays. But having said that, I have attempted short stories, and I recall how my favourite one was meant to be a first draft when I began it but it ended up taking a life of its own. It was thrilling. However, once I was done I simply couldn't treat it like a first draft any more. Going back and editing it (not for the grammar) was really hard, and I finally just left it as it was. So, I can completely understand your needing to take a break from them before you can polish them up!

    Until your Monday's snippet then!:)

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    1. Awww, Risa! The equivalent of climbing Mount Everest? What a way to look at it! I guess it DID feel like that sometimes. XD

      Oooh, you write plays? How exciting! That always appealed to me. But yes, it's pretty necessary for me to step back from my stories for a while before editing. I have to put some distance between myself and the story before completely ripping it apart. XD And another story right now is my priority. But I shall return to the CoaDS series one day, I shall!

      Eep. I hope you'll enjoy them (despite the messiness).

      Delete
  8. I've been checking your blog every day to see your Twitter updates, and when I saw that you'd finished I knew it was only a matter of time until we got a flaily post about it all. Yay!!! And you're not done, you're not saying goodbye, it's only till-we-meet-again, because there's always revision --- which is sometimes good news and sometimes not --- in which to take the glorious mess that is your huge series and turn it into even more glorious order. You still have CoaDS, it's just a different sort of having it, if that makes any sense.
    And snippets! Hurray!

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    1. You have? AWK, Sophia! I'm honored you've been interested in my progress! ^_^
      Hahaha. I'm so predictable, aren't I? ;D

      That's very, very true! In fact, I still have probably yeeeeears with these books. I feel like I'll be an elderly person before this series is all COMPLETELY finished. XD It'll just probably be a long while before I return to them for editing, but you're right. "Till-we-meet-again" is more accurate. Or goodbye for now. That all makes perfect sense! Revision is such a different process from first drafting, but not necessarily a bad one. Just...different, like you said.

      Haha! Everyone seems so excited about the snippets...I hope you guys enjoy them, because, yeesh. The messy writing. o.o

      Delete
  9. *shrieking*
    AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D *is beside self with joy*

    OH MY GOODNESS LAURIIIIII THIS POST MADE ME SO VERY HAPPY AND EXCITED AND THRILLED AND NOSTALGIC MYSELF!!! <333333

    THE HUGEST OF A GARGANUTANLY DRAGON-SIZED CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU, DARLING!!! ^______^

    (Pfft, who needs anything other than caps-lock when something of this magnitude is going on. ;))

    I just... I don't even know what to SAY but I love this post SO MUCH and I'm just so very very proud of how AMAZING you did on this!!! Your biggest NaNo yet (127K!), bravely pressing onward to fiiiiinish More Gold than Sunlight, AND WRITING "THE END" ON THE ENTIRE SERIES ALKDJLFSKJDLFJKDLFKSJ.

    147,000 words. In 36 days. With only 3 days off. 147K!!! O____________O I always suspected you were indeed a magical elf with amazing fairy superpowers buuuuut now I'm 1000000% sure BECAUSE OH MY WORD HOWWWW ARE YOU THAT AMAZING???? *flailing* I just. Nope. Can't even. I'm done. *falls over in awe*

    (I love how even Navi woke up to look at the momentousness that was you writing "The End. XD)

    I know that shaking-fingers feeling since I remember it from the last novel I wrote, KW1. :D But on a SERIES??? AAAAHHHH I JUST CAN'T GET OVER IT THIS IS A MASSIVE ACCOMPLISHMENT AND I'M SOOOO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!!! ^____^

    I love how NaNo and CoaDS are such a part of your life, too! I sooo hope you enjoy your break!!! You have TOTALLY earned it! I hope you will take off January too if you need it. <3 (I probably will be. >.> Meep.) ENJOY LIFE AND WATCHING AND READING AND CHRISTMAAAAS! ^_____^

    SNIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIPETSSS!!! I CAN'T WAIT. >:D

    Yup, I totally chickened out and didn't keep writing after NaNo. *nods* So I'm even more in awe of you. ;) And oh my goodness, I totally know that feeling of starting series (and books) and not getting around to the next one. *collapses* Sequels are harrrd. I mean, I'm still in KW2 and I've only written the first 3rd. XD *coughcough* So I know how you feel, and just ALKSDFJLSJDKL YOU FINISHED YOU FINISHED YOU FINIIIISHED!!!! <3

    (No, I will not apologize for this dragon-sized comment. >.> I just HAD to squeal [*wrote that as "sequel" oh my goodness*] and mayyybe it will kinda-sorta make up for how enormously long it's been since I commented over here. O___o Even though I read diligently. ;))

    CONGRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATS!!!!!!!! <3 <3<3<3 *all the cheesecake and confetti and rest for you*

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    1. EEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!! THIS COMMENT. *huggles it forever and ever and ever* CELTI YOU PRECIOUS THING. I AM GRINNING SO HARD.

      A magical elf with amazing fairy superpowers? Celti. CELTI. HOW DO I EVEN RESPOND TO ALL THIS??? I AM ABOUT TO EXPLODE.

      Mom said the picture looked like I must have been screaming from excitement and Navi looked up in concern. XD Not quite screaming, but I WAS sitting there grinning and shaking and wiggling happily in my chair. Teehee.

      So I'm not alone in getting tremble-y with excitement with these things? I can imagine you were that excited with KW1! I remember the first time I read the end of it and I was just sitting there grinning uncontrollably. BECAUSE IT'S KW! AND THAT ENDING. <3333

      I wouldn't have met YOU if not for NaNo, SO IT IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF MY LIFE. Thank you! I definitely plan on enjoying my break. Hehe. And I'm very highly considering continuing my break through January. Writing this much altogether took...a lot out of me. Heh. I may need that extended break!

      AWK. Hopefully the snippets are enjoyable and won't burn everyone's eyes out with their messiness...

      That is NOT chickening out, that is being sane and kind to your brain and body!

      YES. It's so hard continuing series for some reason. I really must get better at it with my other things.

      GOOD. YOU SHOULD NOT APOLOGIZE. BECAUSE I LOVE THIS COMMENT TO DEATH. And don't you dare worry about not commenting lately. It was NANO. Other things but writing cannot be bothered with!

      THANK YOU SO MUCH, CELTI!!!!!!!!! I don't think I could have made it without you, I really don't. YOU ARE THE BEST. <33333333 *happily devours cheesecake*

      Delete
  10. YES SNIPPETS.

    CONGRATULATIONS ON FINISHING! *ALL THE CONFETTIS*

    Oh my goodness, is that a doggo I see in your picture?!? PRECIOUS DOGGO SHARES IN THE EXCITEMENT.

    Ellie | On the Other Side of Reality

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    1. Hehehe! I hope you'll like them! ^_^

      THANK YOU SO MUCH, ELLIE. So many times when I was writing and Airen and Eryth did something cute I thought of you and your enthusiasm. You're just the best!

      Doggo? Oooh! You mean my poodle? YESSSSH. That is my precious baby Navi. She is basically my LIFE. <333 Not that I spoil her or anything. Nooo. *cough*

      Delete
  11. CONGRATULATIONS, CHRISTINE!!!! THAT IS ABSOLUTELY ONE OF THE MOST AWESOME THINGS IN THE WORLD!!

    (In case I sound like an evil stalker, hi. I've been following your blog for a while, but never commented. *whispers* Your blog is super cool, by the way. :) )

    ~Liv
    oliviakfisher.blogspot.com

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    1. *FLAILS HAPPILY* THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!! That is so nice of you to say!!!

      No, I totally feel like I know you! I guess we run in the same circles, because I see you around all the time. You're not a stalker at all! Haha. And AWK. You are the sweetest to say that about my blog. GAH. THANK YOU! <333

      Delete
  12. YOU FINISHED YOUR SERIES. WHAT.
    Howwwww do you do this you crazy awesome superwoman you?!?! (btw, I'll say it again, I LOVE how attached you are to your story =)) You rock, Christine--keep writing!!
    -Ariel

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    1. I DID. AND I AM SO EXCITED. But Arielllll!!! YOU ARE SO NICE. Thank you! I am anything but a superwoman. More like as crazy as the Joker. XD

      But seriously! Your comments make my day. THANK YOU. <333

      Delete
  13. Congrats! That is such a big accomplishment! I have written into December before. Not this year, but past years I have. You deserve a break! I"m taking one too haha. At least till January. XD

    storitorigrace.blogspot.com

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    1. GAH. THANK YOU, GIRL!

      Yes, it's tiring continuing on in December. Some books I've finished during NaNo, some I've had to keep writing through December. I DEFINITELY prefer finishing and taking all of December off. XD But at least I DID eventually finish this one. I feared it was never going to end. *collapses*

      Enjoy your break. You deserve it, too!

      Delete
  14. CONGRATULATIONS TIMES A MILLION, CHRISTINE! YOU FINISHED COADS!!!! AHHHHHH!!!!!! ALL THE CAPSLOCK! ALL THE HAPPY! I CAN'T STOP!

    But I'll try, because an entire comment of capital letters and exclamation marks can be hard on the eyes. XD

    I just...wow. It's incredible that this seven book, seven year series is behind you now. Just reading about your excitement as you wrote "the end" makes ME all giddy! I love love LOVE the way COADS has impacted you so much, how it's shaped you as a writer, reader, blogger, and person.

    But goodness, it is TIME TO CELEBRATE. BECAUSE YOU ARE DONE. D-O-N-E. It's December, NaNo is over, and you can just hibernate for a year or read a library's worth of books or whatever you need to relax and refill your creative well! 127k in 36 days is an INSANE amount of creative output, so it's definitely time for some input. Time to let other creatives pour into YOU. Enjoy it!

    (And I would absolutely be interested in a post about all the things you learned while writing COADS.)
    (I also really, really love what you said about even terribly written stories mattering to us! That's especially encouraging while I relearn how to write a first draft! XD)

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    1. *FLAAAAILS* THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH, TRACEY!!! You have been such an encouragement through all of this!!!

      Hibernating for a year and reading a library's worth of books sounds so perfect! XD It's great just being able to enjoy the Christmas season. As much as I loved writing MGtS it...took a lot out of me. Finales are hard. o.o So yes, I shall absolutely take some relaxing time! (Or try. With Christmas comes busyness, but at least I'm not having to add writing to said busyness. *nods*)

      Awww, that's so sweet! I keep thinking about it. I would like to do one. It may be...later, but hopefully sometime! It's good to know people would be interested in that. ^_^
      Oh, I'm glad! It's something I have to tell myself almost every day. ESPECIALLY during NaNo. XD But I believe it's absolutely true. You keep writing that draft, Tracey. It's going to amount to so much, I promise!

      Delete
  15. OH MY GOSH CONGRATULATIONS! Seven books is, like, a LOT of books. I mean it is a LOT of books. I will be happy to finish my WIP trilogy! Seven books! Hear my loud gasping!

    I hope your December has been lovely and that the barrel has refilled. (The licking analogy made me laugh!) After finishing a book on November 30th (not for NaNo, just for ... lolz??) I'm about to embark on another, and I can't wait! THE BREAK IS OVER. THE BARREL IS BRIMMING. TAKE ME BACK, NOVEL WRITING LIFE.

    And again, Christine, massive well done! <333

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    1. Girl. GIRL. Your comment just makes me giddy! THANK YOU!!! Doing just one a year wasn't too bad. And I would have NEVER been able to manage it without the drive of NaNo. Huzzah for peer pressure! ;D

      Whoo! You go, girl! That's awesome!!! I love your enthusiasm. I hope your next novel writing excursion goes absolutely amazingly!

      Thanks so much! This whole comment makes me smile. Hope you have a wonderful New Year's! <3

      Delete

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