Some authors take their accomplishments in stride and consider them a step in the process. Since writing is a solo act, it can be difficult to share what makes an author proud, but some endeavors deserve recognition.
How do you celebrate when you finish a book?
I don’t know if I do celebrate when I finish a book anymore other than a quick happy dance around the living room. Oh, well, there’s your answer. A hoop, holler, happy jig, then back to work. 😀
When I complete a ms, get a great review, or click on my Inbox to find an acceptance letter, I play Tom Cochrane’s “White Hot.” The song is a tribute to French poet Arthur Rimbaud, who abandoned a promising literary career for a life of reckless adventure. Cochrane’s band Red Rider released that song at a time when I was stuck in a dead-end job with the boss from Hell. “White Hot” reminded me there was still mystery and beauty in the world, and that I could persevere.
I’m a big fan of the “brag table”–a metaphorical table (coined by Jon Acuff) where you and friends can bring accomplishments without being afraid of sounding too full of it. Guilt-free bragging rights are very fun. But I also like to mark big stepping stones (like finishing a novel or a second draft) by commissioning an artist on DeviantArt to draw/paint one of my characters. I love seeing the finished product!
Alyssa, what a great idea getting a picture of your characters. I will check into that. I have found that I like my characters better than my own children.
I have an old replica Navy Colt pistol worth about twenty dollars US. I am sure that when my Dad bought it paid a lot more but that pistol has shown up in my first story a number of times in the hand of my star’s grandfather, Popasquat, and then passes on after his death, so it can reoccur again and again through two other stories. Thanks for the idea. Gerald
Hi Sue. I didn’t always celebrate the milestone of finishing a manuscript because I looked at that as a step in a longer career, but I changed my attitude a few years ago. Right before I finish, I look for something fun to do that coincides with an approximate completion date. It gives me incentive to finish, otherwise I procrastinate because I don’t want the ride to end with my characters. I might celebrate with a dinner party or attend a book signing or go to a movie with a friend or two.
This comment hit me between the eyes. I’ve been planning to do 2 things — finish the current WIP and hick the Garden Wall in Glacier National Park. Now I’ll tie them together. When I finish the book, I’ll reward myself with that hike!
Thank you, Jordan!
Hi Mike.
Everyone should have a theme song. Here’s a link to White Hot. Great idea!
https://youtu.be/ENNmDWUGRko
Hi Alyssa. What a great idea! You’re supporting the arts too. Plus you can use the graphics to promo your new book. I like it.
I’m like Anthony Trollope. When I reach The End, I get up and stretch, sigh, sit down and type Chapter One… then write until I hit my quota.
Or something like that. I’ll have another project going and a couple “in development.” I enjoy finishing, getting through edits, but am most excited on launch day. That never gets old. Taking my wife out for a celebratory dinner is my reward.
Hi Jim. Launch days are always special. A nice dinner with your wife is a great way to celebrate.
Jordan, good morning and where did you get that smile?
There doesn’t seem to ever be an end to writing. I celebrate each time I get through a rewrite of a paragraph when it sings, a rewritten line where I can cut out five words, a delete button when I see the word that or had jump out at me, and being a Southerner removing words like very, just, so, and on and on. I write for my enjoyment, but you know what you think today sounds different tomorrow. Just enjoy the process.
Hey Gerald. I’m with you on enjoying the journey. Definitely true.
I always crack open champagne after THE END. It’s a ritual with Kelly and me for at least the last 10 books. We are always apart now when we finish, but we get on skype, I type THE then send her the file and she types END. Then we toast together.
Omg, how fun. I love that, Kris. What a wonderful sister thing to do. Nice.
Great way to celebrate your hard work, Carol. I’ll be thinking of you.
It’s so hard to know when “done” is really done. You finish the first draft, and there’s a second to be done, and then a third. Then you give it several editing passes. Was it Wilde who said, “A novel is never finished. It’s eventually just packed up and sent off to a publisher,” or words to that effect? All this while you’re also working on laying the ground for selling it, and if you’re self-pubbing, there’s even more. Eventually you have a copy in your hand, but you don’t have much more time than showing it off to your spouse before you go on with the marketing. And while that’s going on, as Mr Bell says above, you’re already working on the next one. So I guess the first step is recognizing that you have in fact reached a celebration point.
I recognize some of my accomplishments, but others I don’t know where they came from. Not sure if it was actually me or not. They just kinda showed up and people slapped me on the back and said “good job” and I’m just like, “uh….thanks”
Basil—Are we still talking about writing a book?
John
That quote “a book is never finished, it’s abandoned” has always resonated with me. There comes a time when most of us move on. But I still believe in taking pleasure in the passion for writing that we all share. Smell the roses.