Dancing the Maypole, the main book I’ve been working on over the last four years, is very very nearly finished. Today I completed chapter 48. There should only be two more chapters and an Epilogue (unless I’m wrong and there’s more – Please Nooooo!) This book has ended up twice the length of my other books which is partly why it’s taken so long. Once Dancing the Maypole is finished I’ll crack open Once Upon a Wager (which should only need about three more chapters unless I’m wrong) and hopefully have that on line this year as well. Tomorrow I start chapter 49! I’m nearly done!!!!
Oh wow! You can see the light Keep going sister! You can do it! I love you!
Yea! You can see the finish line! It is in your sight now! Go for it!!
and can you not just see us standing at the finish line, hands outstretched eager to grab Maypole. you running, perspiration falling into your eyes as you breathlessly cross that line.
Yesss! We hissed, we’ve got it! we’ve got it! and you falling into an exhaustive heap? Not. You just wipe the sweat away and get to which? Curse of Love?
You are great. Your stories are great. Love and peace.
@avis
Avis, you make me laugh! I think you may have to grab it as I collapse in relief! I’ve started chapter 50 several times, but something isn’t right so I’m giving myself a few days to sulk and then I’ll try again to get the characters to tell me what I need to do…as opposed to what I think I should do. I always get in trouble when I think I know anything. Thanks for cheering me up!!! I hope life is being very kind to you!!!
Why not put on the website what you have? Maybe people would have suggestions.
@trudy
Hello Trudy,
That is very tempting, but I tend to find if I stop trying to organize the characters (which is what I tend to do – even though I know they hate it) they’ll eventually tell me how they want the story. One or more may start talking. If you’ve read A Companion for life; Epilogue no 2…I was outside raking leaves minding my own business when the two characters started talking…and I was laughing out loud as I kept raking until I realize it was part of the story I hadn’t previously seen and then I ran upstairs to my computer. I don’t think I even got my coat off. Sometimes when I’m washing dishes or reading a book I suddenly see the scene from new eyes and realize the story wants the chapter to be told from the perspective of a character I hadn’t considered. I just have to get myself into a mentally open state. I think I’ve figured out chapter 50. If I start writing and the words don’t just flow onto the screen I’ll eventually admit to myself I’m hitting my head against the wall and the process will start over until I feel done with the last chapter (whichever chapter that will be).
Cari, the characters will not led you wrong. Listen to them and write as you are directed. No, peeks on your site, please. It would spoil the wonderful balance of the book. Yes, we are standing at the finishline waiting to grab your book; however, let the story play to the very end. I love the way Trudy wrote how we were standing at the line! So true! So true, Trudy!
@donna
It’s nice to know there’s a line! 😉 I’m in the heaving editing stage even though I still haven’t finished the last chapter to two. I decided I needed to go through the whole book again. I think chapter 49 isn’t done, hence the head banging on my keyboard. That would mean I only need one more chapter. We’ll see. I’m hoping to bring it to its conclusion soon because all these other characters from other partially finished (or not yet started) books are really irritated with having to wait in their own line. :/