I Finished the Book!
That's it. That's the whole thing.
I finished BRODIE!!
This is major for me. And it is not an April Fool’s joke! I haven’t finished a book in five years. Seriously, yes, it’s been that long. Does it feel that long to you? It feels that long to me. I just had some family and personal health issues that derailed the writing for a bit. Almost every writer takes some time off at some point for whatever reason, even it’s just to recharge the creative batteries. Finishing this book comes as such a relief.
I still have a little clean up to do. I’ve done one read through prior to writing the last few chapters. I always do that, to make sure I’ve connected all my dots and the end I have planned still makes sense. Do I need to tie up any loose ends? Does it still make sense for these characters to have a HEA? That kind of thing. And now that I’ve written the last few chapters I’ll do another read through.
After writing the last chapter, actually the last line, I realized there was a thread I wanted to work in throughout the book, namely one of the character’s inability to sleep. And I’m still not sure about my big sex scene. I feel like maybe it went a little too far, in terms of the characters and what makes sense for them at that point in the story. I talked about this, and the writing decisions you have to consider when it comes to plotting sex scenes, a couple of weeks ago here.
BRODIE ended up being more drama than I anticipated. I started out thinking it would be a bit of a frolic, but even as I kept to my plot outline, things developed a bit differently than I thought they would. That happens. Each story has its own pulse, and you have to let it go where it wants, within reason.
By the end of the week I plan on sending it off to my editor. I’m already on her schedule for April, and my deadline—which I gave myself—was this week to get the book done. And I did it. I’m still in shock. And I brought it in at exactly the word count I projected, too. I guess I’ve still got it, baby.
A lot of people have asked why I didn’t write Hastings, my next Brothers in Arms* book, first instead of BRODIE. The reason is because it’s been so long since I finished a book and I needed one that wasn’t so high stakes to ease myself back into it. The 93rd Highlanders* is not one of my best-selling series (although HAMISH* sells pretty well because it’s only $.99). But over the years, and especially during the pandemic, I had a lot of readers email me and ask if I was going to write any more books in that series, so I chose BRODIE for my first book back in front of the computer.
To celebrate finishing the book, we ordered takeout from a poke bowl place here in town. It was…not good. lol But the restaurant I wanted is closed on Mondays. So my husband said I get a raincheck on that one, and tonight’s dinner didn’t count. We didn’t go out because his back is still healing from his recent surgery. He won’t be going back to work for another month at least.
Next week I start Hastings. Well, I get back to it because the truth is I wrote some of it several months ago, and I’ve jotted down a few scenes since then. I’m excited to write it! I’ve loved Hastings character since he first hit the page in Fight for Love* and For Love and Country*. He’s another one, like Wiley in The Devil’s Thief*, who took over the page the minute he was introduced. This one will be fun, and funny, with its share of drama. But before I start Hastings, I’ve got to set up some promo and marketing for BRODIE. Spoiler: Conall will be on sale in May!
I finished the book!! I just wanted to say that again.
*Amazon links. I may get a commission if you buy anything after clicking.
My Favorite Things This Week:
I made this banana pudding for Easter dessert. My husband and kids requested it. They love it. It is quite possibly the best banana pudding we’ve ever had (and we’ve had A LOT.)
Noom update: I have lost 16 lbs. in three months. And I don’t feel deprived. I’m actually eating more and working out less. I know that sounds like some stupid infomercial lie, but it’s the truth. So I am definitely recommending Noom.
I just bought my husband and sons some new tees from True Classic. I gave them all some last year and they needed a tee shirt refresh. They really like these tees, and I got them some in a rainbow of colors.
Quote of the week:
All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, and then success is sure.
Mark Twain
P.S. My make-up jury duty day is this week. Soon I will have paid my debt to society.