Saturday, September 26, 2009

Book 5 Is DONE

It took several hours, more than a few tears, and me ultimately questioning my sanity, but I wrote the last two chapters of Book 5 -- WAIT FOR DUSK -- on Friday. Yes, the book has a name and a cover. I'm glad to finally be able to announce that the book is done. During the next several days, I'm going to give WAIT FOR DUSK a thorough read, tweaking paragraphs and adding more details that I left out the first time. The book is on the short side, coming in at 98,000 words when most of my books run around 110,000 words or more. However, I'm not concerned considering that all my books have gotten longer in the revision stage. My editor always finds subplots that need to be developed a little further or a character that needs a little more fleshing out.

The book ended pretty much as I always imagined it would. However, it was the two chapters prior to the last chapter that surprised me. I had one character survive when I thought he/she wouldn't and I had another character die when I thought he/she wouldn't. The death broke both my heart and Mira's. It wasn't something I was planning and I honestly tried to find a viable way around it. Unfortunately, it made the most sense for the book and by the rules of my world, so I followed unwillingly behind the story. It was the first time I cried while writing a book, which makes typing and concentrating very difficult. This will be the first book I send to my editor with a note asking for help to save this character. But I just don't think it's going to happen.

I never expected that letting go of a fictional character would be so difficult. I had plans for this character to appear in short stories and possibly his/her own book, but now all of that has been pushed aside. But aside from writing, this character was a friend and he/she will be sorely missed.

Meanwhile, I was disturbed by the closing scene as it turned out to be one of the most graphically violent scenes I have ever written. Of course, Mira was a more than a little pissed at the time, so I can understand why she just kind of let loose on her enemy.

On a lighter, saner note, I am taking at least a week off from writing. Well, I'm going to try to. My sixth book isn't due until May, so I've got time to take a break. In the next few months, I will have to complete the revisions of WAIT FOR DUSK, along with copyedits and galley edits. In addition, I have the copyedits and galley edits for PRAY FOR DAWN as well. Our hope is that we will be able to release PRAY FOR DAWN and WAIT FOR DUSK back-to-back next summer. (Fingers crossed)

During my week off from writing, I plan to read. I've already had one person ask what is in my to-be-read pile. I thought about listing the books, but I figured that it would just be easier to post a picture. Now, this isn't eveything that belongs in my to-be-read pile, but these are just some of the highlights. There are many many more books that belong here. The pile is limited to urban fantasy, paranormal fantasy, traditional fantasy, and science fiction. At the moment, I am reading Christine Feehan's Dark Slayer. Next up is either Simon Green's Unnatural Inquirer or Sean Williams' Star Wars Force Unleashed. After that, I don't know what I will be getting into.


I am hoping to complete at least five books before I get back into working. And even then, I hope to continue reading until I start work in Book 6. For two months, I am planning to work on a Super Secret Special Project. It's not urban fantasy, not in the Dark Days world, and not like anything anyone has ever seen from me. It's not under contract and I don't know when I will finish it. However, I think two months is enough time to finish a rough draft.

After all that, I think I will be refreshed enough to get happily back into the Dark Days world.

9 comments:

Alex Levine said...

My tbr pile is waaaaaaaaay bigger (most of a bookshelf!). But, I've read a lot of your tbr pile and you're in for some good reading!

MrsMixx said...

I'm glad you can finally get some rest. Seing your TBR pile you have lots of amazing books to read (hey there's The Outlaw Demon Wails in there!)

As i said on the boards i was a bit concerned reading your tweets about book 5, not that this post is really reassuring but i can understand that the death of a character might be inevitable.The series is called Dark Days, it would be stupid of us to think the books would only be filled with happy dancing in the moonlight ;) I fear for a few of my favorite secondary characters but i trust you and your story, if it happens there will be a reason. It IS a bit reassuring that killing that character is affecting you, at least we know you cared about them too.
'Whatever doesn't kill you leaves a scar' funny that this is the song playing as i am writing this comment.

I'm crossing my fingers so we get the 2 books back to back next summer, that would be amazing.
Love your work Jocelynn , have a great week end

Unknown said...

Congratulations Jocelynn!
(and a Yay for us because you finishing the novel means we get to read it ... eventually)
You have some great reads in your TBR. I envy you the FirstRead joy from them.
:)
All the best,
RKCharron
xoxo

Ellz said...

Congrats, your tbr is huge. I need to take a pic of mine, they grow so fast, don't they?

Alexia561 said...

If you made you cry, then it must be great! Looking forward to reading Wait For Dusk as soon as it comes out!

Very impressed with the size of your TBR stacks! Lots of great titles in there, some I've already read and some going on my wishlist.

Enjoy your break!

Jackie (Literary Escapism) said...

Damn girl...you're going to be reading some amazing stuff. I'm jealous. I would love to be reading some of those for the first time.

Jess (The Cozy Reader) said...

Congrats on being done! And blah for being vague on who dies and who doesn't! :P

Reading is fun and you've got some great books to read! I recommend Gena Showalter and Rachel Vincent! AND you must read Soulless by Gail Carriger, releasing 9/29! It's awesome.

Enjoy your free time!

Jenni @ Falling Off The Shelf said...

Congrats on finishing book 5! That's awesome!

You have quite a TBR pile. Mine is huge, consisting of 2 5-shelf bookshelves, 1 4-shelf bookshelf..and a few totes that I had to get from walmart because I don't like to let them sit on the floor.

YOu should really try Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress Series...or Rachel Vincent's Shifters Series. They are personal favorites of mine, and I would HIGHLY recommend them.

Unknown said...

I just read all three of the Dark Days books over the last two weeks and am hooked. I'm glad to hear the next one is finished. When does it publish? I'm dying to know. :)