Finishing writing a book is a bittersweet feeling. As I get to the end of this draft of How To Own And Operate A Haunted House, I feel great relief. It's almost finished, those longed for words The End are looming! Oh happy day! But I also feel a sense of loss at having lived in those rooms for a long time and seeing the door close, a kind of writerly post-partum. What next, what next as Robert Lowell famously asked in his poem about a mid-life crisis. He also broke his girlfriend Jean Stafford's nose not once but twice (once by punching her, once in a drunken car wreck). I have a postcard of him above my desk, smoking and look like he's on the verge of a manic episode. Those wacky poets!
I'll keep you posted on the progress and will write THE END on this very blog when I get there. Until then, thanks so much for reading the excerpts. At this stage in the game, I'm finding it hard to focus on any other writing. Any thoughts on ending a project from my dear commenters?
Michelle's Spell of the Day
"I don't think it's very useful to open wide the door to younger artists; the ones who break down the door are more interesting." Paul Schrader
Cocktail Hour
There's only one more episode of Hung -- and they are skipping Labor Day. Waah! Sunday's episode was off the charts. When the season is over, I plan to write a comprehensive review of the best show on television right now.
Benedictions and Maledictions
Happy Tuesday!
5 comments:
Not sure...I felt kind of lost after I finished my latest project. I spent two solid months on it and when I finished, I didn't know what to do with myself. I wound up writing a bunch of blog posts keep myself occupied until I figured out what to do next.
If you are already asking yourself "what next, what next: I think it is a safe bet that "How To Own and Operate a Haunted House" is maybe within 5 miles of being done not the 1/2 mile you think. If you're asking "What's next you're just trying to rush the ending.
After you take a breath and slow it down a pace or two and THEN finish it. Detroit is next. Coney's and gin are next, story telling time is next. Detroit snark and sarcasm are next, trying to stay out of ER's and dentist chairs is next, in short just more fucking living is next PD.
Finishing a big project definitely has a bittersweet feel to it. But it's better than not finishing.
I always feel giddy when I type those final words--like school's out, it's a rainy day, and the fridge is full of chocolate ice cream. Remember to close your eyes and be proud of yourself for at least a minute. :)
Go, you! xoxo
Ending a project...right now my thoughts are "ugh." I'm in the middle of 2 paintings that I've managed to screw up & don't want to deal with anymore. I'm actually considering painting completely over one of them & doing something else. The other I've had a good idea for, but the formal details remain ephemeral. Regardless, it's been WAY too long. I need to COMPLETE an entire painting--perhaps even "just" a stress-free abstract for fun.
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