The Book is Delivered. So What Now?

I turned in my contracted Love Inspired Historical manuscript July 2, exactly one week ago. I’ve heard of authors deliver books early, but I’m not one of them. Even with dividing my word count by the time I have, I still work right up to the deadline revising and revising and revising. If you're still an unpublished writer, you've probably experienced this push for a deadline when you enter a manuscript in a contest like the Genesis or Golden Heart.

I've been asked how authors know when to stop revising. The answer for me is when the calendar says I must. I believe I will improve on this, a worthy goal, but a goal I haven't yet attained. Please tell me I'm not alone. LOL

Once the book is delivered, I feel equal parts of remorse and elation. Remorse since I’m rarely satisfied with the end product. Elation as I’m physically and mentally weary and glad to have the story gone. I know my editor will have a more realistic and objective opinion. By the time I get the book back for revisions I will have been away from the story long enough to have a clearer view of what changes I want to make beyond what my editor requests.

My contracts allow me to have a life. If I have a multi-book contract, I have another deadline already set. Even so, I take time to catch up with those things I’ve neglected.  

           Here's a few activities that call my name:  

        

Chores: I’m not crazy about housework but love a clean orderly house. I’m blessed to have help with household tasks, especially when I’m on deadline. Still I’ve put off chores that I want to do. Who knew that work could sound downright delightful? J

• Clear off my desks, both my office desk and the desk in the kitchen. I toss those notes and scribbled reminders cluttering my office desk that I no longer need now that the book is finished. On my kitchen desk, I wade through stacks of outdated store coupons, notes to myself, things I’ve kept to look over and toss or save. Organizing my desks lifts a weight off my shoulders.

·         Iron. HGTV makes the chore  almost like a mini-vacation. For those of you who hate to iron, you won’t relate. But after turning in a book, I find engaging in this mindless chore relaxing.

·         Deadhead flowers in the garden. Right about now, my daisies and coreopsis start to look bedraggled. The heat we're having in the midwest shortens my sessions, but I still enjoy making the garden tidy. I’m kind to the goldfinches and leave a few seed-filled coreopsis heads behind. Note the bookworm near my feet. I'm sure he's reading a Seeker book.  

·       Rearrange furniture. A change makes the furnishings look new and energizes me. I need my dh’s help with the heavy stuff, but I’m in charge. Maybe part of the charm. LOL
  Getting control of all the electric cords comes last.   

Shop: I miss being in the stores.  Since I turned in my book, my daughter and I spent a fun afternoon with her daughter shopping for school clothes and having lunch.     

Exercise: Even on deadline, I usually manage to get a daily walk, but rarely work out. Still, writers sit a lot and need to work their muscles to keep strong and flexible. Kudos if you don’t fall off the exercise wagon when you're on deadline, either a publisher's or your own.

Play: I look forward to stamping greeting cards and playing golf, a couple of activities I skip when I'm on deadline. These stampers friends are a creative bunch. 

Vacation: My dh and I plan our vacation around my book deadlines. I don’t work on vacation unless a trip is a research opportunity or a writer's conference.  

Family: Family comes before my writing but in a time crunch, I may have to miss a grandchild's ballgame or meet. Here's four reasons I want to be there. 

Friends: I like to see friends or at least chat by phone or email.

Sleep: The last week or so before my deadline I get about five hours a night. I wake up very early with my brain immediately going to the book.

Once I've caught up on my sleep, handled a few chores and connected with people, I'm back at storytelling, refreshed and renewed.

So what, if anything, is the takeaway from this post?

First, writing books is hard work. No matter how many books we've written, a finished manuscript is something to be proud of, to celebrate. Treat yourself. Iron. LOL 

Second, recharge your batteries and take care of yourself. Eat well. Get those zzzs. Exercise. 

Third, story people are wonderful but they don't replace flesh and blood human beings. Take time to fill the creativity tank. We can't always travel, but a stay-cation is probably more relaxing.

Fourth, unfinished chores can add pressure. Getting on top of things is energizing.

So how do you relax? Or do you? Any tips for having a balanced life? Or is there any such thing? 

I brought ham and cheese egg bakes, coffee cake, fresh fruit, juice, tea and coffee. Cyber cooking is easy. Did you notice I didn’t list cooking as an activity I long to do more of? J

Those leaving a comment will be in a drawing for either a critique of the first ten pages of an inspirational romance or a ten-dollar Amazon gift card--winner's choice. 

Janet