I’m Done

12 Mar

So the story goes that J.K.Rowling, when she finished writing her seventh and last Harry Potter novel at the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh, wrote on the base of a bust of Hermes, “JK Rowling finished writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in this room (552) on 11th Jan 2007.”

I have no statues or heads of statues nearby, nor do I have sufficient clout to assume that anyone would even want me to write on their statue should there be any around, so I am choosing, instead, to write to you, my blogland friends:

I, Gretchen O’Donnell, have finished editing my children’s novel, tentatively titled, “The Children of Eel Pond Island” on this day, March 12, 2013, in BenLees Café, in Worthington, Minnesota, at 2:00 in the afternoon.

I am full of caffeine.

I am heady with joy.

I am scared to death.

I am done.

Tags: children's books, editing, Middle Grade literature, publishing, writing

Comments 14 Comments
Categories Writing, Writing/Publishing

14 Responses to “I’m Done”

hotlyspiced March 12, 2013 at 2:51 pm #

Congratulations. It is indeed a day for celebration. You must have so many emotions running through you. But now…what is your next step? Do you have a publisher waiting on it or do you need to shop it around? xx

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- Gretchen O'Donnell March 12, 2013 at 4:34 pm #
  
  Thanks! Yes, lots of questions and emotions. I do NOT have a published holding his or her breath for me…but I do have an agent who is willing to give my manuscript a second look…so she’s the next step and we’ll see from there!
  
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cravesadventure March 12, 2013 at 2:56 pm #

Congrats – Go Ahead & CELEBRATE!!! Good Luck on the Next Step in the Process:) Happy Tuesday Indeed

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- Gretchen O'Donnell March 12, 2013 at 4:35 pm #
  
  Thank you! I feel rather giddy, that’s for sure. 🙂
  
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Minnesota Prairie Roots March 12, 2013 at 3:08 pm #

Congratulations, my dear friend. What marvelous news. It must be a relief on so many levels to write those words: “I’m done.”

I fully expect to read here soon: “My book has been accepted for publication.”

I have full confidence that your book will be published, based on the writing I’ve read here on this blog.

Now, go celebrate!

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- Gretchen O'Donnell March 12, 2013 at 4:36 pm #
  
  Thank you for your encouragement and belief! I think I need dinner out, that’s for sure! I fear, yet look forward to, this next step…
  
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SJ Main March 12, 2013 at 3:18 pm #

My heartfelt congratulations to you and I wish every success for your book from this point forward. I can totally relate to those feelings you describe. I have only finished one book, and the emotions I experienced on writing those final words were not exactly as I would have expected. I felt scared too!

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- Gretchen O'Donnell March 12, 2013 at 4:37 pm #
  
  Thanks so much for your comment! It’s all exciting and frightening and excellent and nerve-wracking, isn’t it?! Now to put on my thick skin and be patient. 🙂
  
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soshemarriedafarmer March 12, 2013 at 8:52 pm #

To think you didn’t reveal you were on the brink of this when I met you this morning! Congratulations!

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- Gretchen O'Donnell March 13, 2013 at 7:08 am #
  
  🙂 I wasn’t postive I’d get it done…but horray! Thanks, Rita!
  
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Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen March 14, 2013 at 7:57 pm #

Oh my gosh!! This is fabulous news, Gretchen! Don’t be afraid, it’s what you were meant to do on this earth, I reckon:D I can’t wait to see it!! xx

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- Gretchen O'Donnell March 14, 2013 at 9:39 pm #
  
  Thanks so much! 🙂
  
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Gwen March 17, 2013 at 8:59 am #

Fantastic! Congrats! I’ll admit, when I first saw this post in my reader, the title scared me. I was expecting a narrative on why you’d decided to give up blogging. So glad I was wrong!

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- Gretchen O'Donnell March 18, 2013 at 8:29 pm #
  
  I wondered, briefly, if anyone would think that, but no – though any more than once a week I simply cannot handle!
  
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