Published Novel Blues — What Comes After The Elation

It’s hard to believe my latest novel, Dot in the Weeds is finally published and out there for the world to discover. But, it is. And, now, right on the heels of the elation comes what can best be described as The Published Novel Blues. Yes. You know, for all the months (and sometimes years) it takes to produce a novel, and then… with literally, the push of a button, it’s sent off to be published, and, like that… the creative process is over.

Leaving me wondering, now what?

Of course, there’s always another novel, or some other creative project in the wings waiting for my focus to redirect from the just-published project to it; but first, the recovery from the super high of finishing and publishing, followed by those pesky published novel blues. Perhaps it’s a similar emotion to sending your five-year-old off to kindergarten. Five years of preparing your baby for the world, and then… gone and cared for by strangers, exposed to the world—without you. The same? Hmmm… I can’t say, but I can imagine.

Creating

Dot in the Weeds was an incredibly fun, complicated and emotional story for me to write. It took far longer than I expected, but the extra time it took allowed for a more complex story. Throughout the writing process, my ultimate goal is always to reach the treasured moment when the story is finally published. It’s the golden carrot, really. It’s an odd dichotomy—I spend so long creating characters, a fictional world and get lost in it; yet, throughout, I cannot wait to finish. When I finish, suddenly I’m no longer a part of my make-believe world. I’m here, and it’s… over there… somewhere. I’m convinced it’s what brings on the inevitable let-down. That sense of loss. Where are my friends? Where’s my let’s pretend world? Yes. A Blues song should be written about it—let’s name it The Published Novel Blues. Ah! A new project to add to the pile!

Once the marketing aspects of a published novel have been put in place and the book is humming along, there’s typically (thankfully) another project or two (or more) waiting for me. But before any new project is started, my creative cycle (eager anticipation, undue impatience, elation, blues, a sense of loss, satisfaction; all followed, finally, by a hunger for the next creative endeavor) has to be completed. Only when the cycle is done can the creative process begin again. Sigh. Welcome to the world of this writer/creative person.

Next up? The True Life Adventures of Djuna Shellam—A Fictional Autobiography, followed by Book Five of The Em Suite—A Woman Like Eve.