Manuscript Limbo

Posted on May 28, 2013 by

3 Comments

I hit send on a thoroughly rewritten manuscript this morning. It’s off to my publisher. I feel numb. At midnight last night (or this morning?) I finished proofing the last round of changes and felt a wonderful sense of calm. I slept well. But first thing this morning all the worries I’ve easily shoved back so that I could focus on this deadline were clamoring to fill the vacuum left by this accomplishment. This crazy mind!

I’m going to do something quite shocking. I’m going to stay away from the computer, email, the web, etc for a whole week. I’m going to reacquaint myself with people I love, go to a museum or two, walk, stare up at the sky, spend hours doing restorative yoga (oh yes!), whatever tickles my fancy.

And then… Will I return to Alisoun Ffulford and her story, write up the new series idea that’s been tempting me with intriguing possibilities, dive right into the follow-on book to the one I’ve just completed, finishing the story of Joan of Kent and the Black Prince? I’m not sure. I don’t need to make up my mind today. What a sense of freedom.

I began this post feeling horribly unsettled, untethered, in limbo. There truly is something to the claim that delivering a manuscript plunges a writer into a state akin to postpartum blues. But now I’m quite cheered by the prospect of a week of relaxation and then something new, fresh.

Until my editor’s notes arrive. Ouch. I wish I hadn’t thought of that.

Category: Joan of Kent, Revising a Manuscript, The Writing LifeTags: , , , ,

3 Comments on “Manuscript Limbo”

  1. I can certainly identify with your sentiments on the post completion of work feelings.
    I remember how I felt after completing my thesis for my B.A. Honours degree in History. A torrid mixture of exhaustion blended with relief and then almost disbelief that it was actually finished and submitted – and then small waves of concern that I might have missed something vital in the numerous final checks. Then gradually, the ability to sleep the night through again!!

    Congratulations on that achievement Emma – although as an ardent “Owen Archer et -al fan’ I have been longing to read the next book in the series, which I thought from previous ‘Writers Retreats’ was actually the book you were creating…
    All the best,

    Alison Perkins

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    • You understand precisely! And thank you.

      Yes, I spent a year rewriting the Joan of Kent book instead of working on the Owen Archer.

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  2. Congratulations, Candace on getting the manuscript submitted. As a reader, I look forward to the finished product. As someone who cares about you as a peson, I am delighted you will take a week off. Enjoy remembering you are human.
    Sandy Neal

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