An Update On The End

03/26/09 | My Writings | 7 Comments

For the past week I have been holed up at a friend’s house. There, I have no internet, no bed, no television, and a very poor cell phone signal. All I have is my computer.

In the past four days I have written over 12,000 words, completed the third part of my book, and I am now working on finishing some things for part two. When I finish that later on today, I will start going through the book chapter by chapter and updating old passages for my current voice.

Once this is completed, my book will be finished, and then it is up to three of my closest friends to tell me how it reads. After eight years of working on it, it will be the first time anyone is going to get to read it in its entirety.

If they like it, or after I’ve made any suggested changes, then it’s time to send it out to agents, some of whom have actually asked to see it upon completion.

I’m reading through this post as I’m writing it, and I know it sounds so matter-of-fact, but I’m honestly having a hard time believing what I’m typing. I’ve been working on this project for so long… it’s hard to think that it soon might be over.

Oh, I could edit this thing for the rest of my life, thinking of new and different things to write or have them do, but after eight years and falling in at about 145,000 words (which I think is just perfect for a literary novel), it’s time to let it go.

*deep breaths*

And now, I plunge into the deep end.

Until next…

Kyle W. Kerr

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Comment by Robin :: Apr 1, 2009
HUGE Congratulations! 12,000 words in four days is truly amazing, Kyle. I’m so happy for you that you’ve reached the end - make sure you celebrate. A novel of that length is a huge accomplishment, no matter how long it took. Congrats again!

Comment by Kyle :: Apr 4, 2009
Robin - Thanks so much! It definitely has been a long time coming. The book’s going to be a little shorter than that (I’m trimming as I edit), but it’s still going to be a good size. Maybe a little too big for a debut author, but there’s nothing big that I would cut at this point.

Almost done, though! About 5 more chapters to edit, and I’m currently rewriting another one. I can finish about 1 chapter a day, so only a little while longer! EEP!

Comment by Marilyn Brant :: Apr 8, 2009
Kyle,
Thanks so much for saying nice things about my cover on Pam’s blog--it’s nice to meet you in the Blogosphere . I agree, we writers need to stick together amidst all the chaos of this industry… Congrats on being so close to finishing your book! 12k words in 4 days is awe-inspiring!! Good luck with your editing and submissions.

Comment by Caryn Caldwell :: Apr 14, 2009
Wow! That is so fantastic! Congratulations on being so close to the end, especially after such a long journey! How’s the critiquing going? Think you’ll be submitting soon?

Comment by Kyle :: Apr 21, 2009
Marilyn - Well, it was a very nice cover! And it’s totally excitement by association. Can’t wait until we’re all able to showcase our book covers!

Caryn - I’m trying to take another week off, because me trying to write after work just isn’t happening. I have one chapter left to rewrite and four more to edit, so it’s definitely close to finished. Then my three friends will be critiquing, and then on to submitting! Hopefully not too much longer!

Comment by L.A. Mitchell :: Apr 23, 2009
Kyle,
Your site is so writerly-I love it

I have a labor of love that has lingered for many years. Sometimes it’s hard to let the old friends go. I wish you the best in finding agents who’ll cherish it like you do.

Comment by Kyle :: Apr 27, 2009
L. A. Mitchell - Thanks for stopping by! You know what’s funny about the website being so writerly? I was originally VERY adamant that it have no pens/paper/quills/etc. anywhere on the site, because I didn’t want to be tacky. And then I saw that picture of the old typewriter at the bottom of the page and it was all downhill from there...! And thank you so much for your kind words. I pray I’ll find an agent to take on my book with tender but firm hands.

Hope to see you around again!

Kyle Kerr