So for the past month, I’ve been living and breathing with Katie and Corrine from Forbidden Passions. Now the book is complete and I’m at a loss for what to do. I submitted it to the publisher and now I wait. But what do I do with Katie and Corrine? They won’t leave me alone. I even dreamed about them last night!!!
It’s an odd feeling to finish a book. There’s a sense of elation and accomplishment, to be sure. But there’s also a sense of sadness for me. I’m going to miss Katie and Corrine. They were fun characters to write. I enjoyed their interactions, even of the non-sexual variety ;c).
Now I need to figure out what to do with my time. Last night, I went to bed at 8:00. And today at the office, I’m actually working. What’s up with that? There’s nothing to research, nothing to write. The emptiness is overwhelming.
I suppose the logical solution here would be to write another book. But what about? I think it would be cool to write another Civil War era book. But could I write characters I love as much as Katie and Corrine?
Do other authors go through this? Do you miss your characters? I had a friend tell me the other day that my characters will always be with me. This is true, I know, but it’s not the same as having them forcing you to tell their story.
So I guess my goal now is to come up with a new book idea so I can make new friends :c)
Wish me luck!
mjwilliamz 
Carrie
March 25, 2011 at 10:25
Do you feel like they have more to say? I’m asking because I’ve definitely been where you are. Finished a story and can’t get the characters out of my head. I’m not saying write 7-8 books about them, LOL. Just a thought.
mjwilliamz
March 25, 2011 at 10:32
Yeah cuz you’ve totally done that, haven’t you? You do a good job of keeping their story going… Maybe I need to write a sequel… but I suppose I should wait and see if it’s published before I do that, huh? LOL
laurie salzler
March 25, 2011 at 10:37
Heck yeah…the characters in my first stayed with me for so long that I actually shunned the ones I wanted to write about next…that was kind of detrimental because when I finally was ready, those characters turned their backs on me for a while. I had to do a lot of ass kissing to get them to speak to me again. Now I’m a little over 20,000 words into their story. I haven’t gotten the edits back from my publisher for my first…oy…I’m going to be in truuuuuble.
mjwilliamz
March 25, 2011 at 10:40
That could be very problematic, Laurie. I hope Katie and Corrine eventually let me move on…
Glenda Poulter
March 25, 2011 at 10:48
I sometimes am still visited by the characters from my first book, especially one of the secondary characters who thinks it’s her turn to have her story told (my next book). And the characters from my second book are still close to my heart as well. I think that’s why it takes me a while to get a new book started. I have to try to say proper good-byes, allow a “grieving” space, or the characters from my last book/story tend to interfere with my new one.
mjwilliamz
March 25, 2011 at 10:52
Thanks, Glenda! It’s nice to know I’m not alone in this.
Patty G. Henderson
March 25, 2011 at 12:16
There is a simple solution. Write a series until the you and the characters have had their say….
mjwilliamz
March 25, 2011 at 12:25
Thank you, Dark Mistress. Has Brenda Strange ever completely had her say?
Dawna
March 25, 2011 at 17:57
Ah enjoy, relish in the moment of your accomplishment my dear, let your mind soar, breathe deep, kick back, look to the left, to the right, look up, there it is that twinkle in your eye for a writers mind is oh so full, the next colorful adventure will blow in on the wind and like magic the wordless page will spring to life, you will see!!
mjwilliamz
March 25, 2011 at 18:31
Very well said Dawna. Thank you
Finn
March 26, 2011 at 14:11
This is something I’ve been pondering when weighing the pros and cons of traditional publishing, versus the more free-wheeling, self-publishing/ebook world. I think it’s definitely a worthwhile point to consider.
As I understand it, under the traditional model, an author writes a book and pitches it, or is already lucky enough to be under contract, and in perhaps six months to a year her book will appear. In most cases, the book AND the characters are in the custody and control of the publisher. They are no longer the author’s, to do with as she sees fit.
If the author wants to dabble in that universe again, she has to negotiate with her publisher, and if the publisher isn’t interested, those characters are effectively dead–at least commercially–and depending on the contract, perhaps dead-dead, because some contracts prohibit even online posting of stories containing these characters–even if no money changes hands.
In the self-publishing/ebook world, there would be nothing to prohibit an author from writing about those characters until they loosen their grip. Kindle formatting is a piece of cake, and it takes little effort to get the work out–hopefully, beta’d and edited, of course, but under this model, you could just keep going until you and your characters are ready to stop.
It seems to me this is one big plus the self-publishing route has to offer–the writer remains in control of their inspiration and their work, and is free to write (and produce) on her own schedule. Or so it seems to me.
mjwilliamz
March 26, 2011 at 14:24
You raise some interesting points, Finn. There is so much to consider when choosing self-publishing vs. the traditional path.
And you’re correct in that my publisher may not like the book at all, so these characters never hit the reading public. Or she may decide one book is enough.
Self-publishing certainly has its advantages.
But I feel very fortunate to have a publisher who is a whiz at marketing and really gets our work out there. So, for me, I know the old-fashioned method is the way to go.
Carol
April 3, 2011 at 06:54
Good luck to you MJ.
I know whoever and whatever you come up with will be very good.