Tuesday, September 8, 2009

This is the End?


I "finished" my first draft of Loathsome yesterday. Finished is such a funny word, isn't it? That...thing is far from "finished". I hate the book right now. I'm sure it's total crap.

*sigh*

We'll see how I feel in a month. For now, I'm thrilled to be back in the realm of short stories. My "catalog" is thin, and a few tales have languished on my flash drive, waiting for revisions. Short stories won't make me rich or famous, but I never claimed those goals, anyway.

22 comments:

Cate Gardner said...

Fantastic... Enjoy 'The End' while it lasts.

L.R. Bonehill said...

Congrats! I know it’s not really the end, but just getting to that stage must take a huge amount of stamina and determination. I’ve certainly never made it that far.

Bring on the short stories.

Jameson T. Caine said...

Congrats on reaching that milestone. Sometimes the end is just a new beginning. Yay for short stories!

Michael Stone said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Michael Stone said...

Well done, Aaron, although I know what you mean about it not being finished. I'm prone to thinking of something as unfinished until it sees publication, which means I never stop tinkering with stuff when I should probably just leave it alone and move on.

Rebecca Nazar said...

Congrats!

"I hate the book right now". Distance makes the heart grow fonder, so they say. Or is it time? Well, short stories will fit both bills.

Fox Lee said...

Congrats! I'm sure you'll warm on the book after you have some short-story time : )

Jamie Eyberg said...

I have some books I despised so much when i got 'done' with them I have never made it back to them. i hope that doesn't happen to you. Still, it is a wonderful feeling, like it or not.

Aaron Polson said...

Cate - I like "the end". This time, I just wasn't happy with it. Big dreams, small abilities.

L.R. - I'm ready for some shorts, to be sure.

Jameson - Yeah, definately a new beginning.

Mike - Maybe that's why it's hard to let a story "die". I don't feel like it's finished until published.

Becca - I hope I can find some fondness for this, thing.

Natalie - I'm full of hope if nothing else.

Aaron Polson said...

Jamie - I think I just need some time off. I have a manuscript around here I need to read for someone...

Katey said...

I hate everything I write after it's done; I get sick to death and I'm sure I've flubbed it and it's totally unsavable. But the completion of a first draft is huge, so congratulations! Time and distance (and possibly a beta reader or three) will show you the beauty of your little creation... eventually.

Man, love that picture. Just right for the atmosphere of it, too.

Barry Napier said...

I hate that feeling...having "finished" something but not FEELING as if it's finished. Best of luck! I'm sure it's not as bad as you're thinking it is.

Brendan P. Myers said...

Stephen King hated a book so much once he threw it in the trash and pondered quitting the writing game. His wife rescued it, and we know it today as "Carrie."

It ain't as bad as you think.

Carrie Harris said...

Think of it this way: if you were one of those people who wrote a perfect first draft, the rest of us would hate you.

Alan W. Davidson said...

Hey, that's excellent news, Aaron.

Sophie Playle said...

Congrats. Now it's time to set it aside for a few months and forget about it. Hopefully when you go back to it you'll think 'hey this isn't as bad as I remembered!' ;)

ps. I love that woodland photograph...

Danielle Birch said...

A huge congrats for "finishing". Take a load off and enjoy the accomplishment of completing the draft. Love the picture too.

Aaron Polson said...

Katey - I'm in good company, then.

Barry - Oh...it's got some rough spots, but you're probably right.

Brendan - Man, if I wrote Carrie. Sweet.

Carrie - Yep. Hard to make friends if you're a Mr./Ms. Perfect.

Alan - Thanks.

Sophie - Time and Distance do wonders.

Danielle - Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Yeah I know that feeling. But hopefully after some time back with shorts, you'll go back to the book for editing, and realize its so bad after all :^)

BT said...

Yep - that would be me, late to the party again...

Congrats on reaching the milestone again, buddy.

Sounds like reaching 'the end' of the first draft is becoming a little too common a practise for you - I wish.

As has been said already, time away is what's now required.

Besides, I'm looking forward to reading some new shorts from you - and everyone else.

K.C. Shaw said...

Congrats! And it's not awful, you just need to set it aside and come back to it with fresh eyes. Then you'll be able to think, "Gosh, that's the best thing I've ever written!" :)

Aaron Polson said...

Samantha - I'm sure it will be fine after a few mixed drinks.

BT - Shorts are good. Frist drafts...probably not as bad as expected.

KC - Gosh, I hope so. ;)