Writing a Book: It's a Wrap!

I am at the end of Book 2 in my 47 Destinies series.  There are only 2 more chapters to write.  I am stunned.  How did I get here?  And now what?  Coming to the end of a novel is a strange experience.  As the author, you are excited to be near the end.  You have been working close with the characters for several months.  You think about your plot all day long; sometimes at the strangest times and places.  Then one day, you wake up and realize you are almost done.  If you are like me, you may wonder, how did that happen?  Am I really near the end?  Have I chosen the best ending?  Is it good enough?  Is it long enough?  Is it too long?  Of course, then the dreaded editing phase begins. (More on that later.) 

After getting through all the paranoia, then the euphoria begins.  I'm almost done!  I want people to read this!  It's good!    I can't wait to hear what people think.  It is an amazing experience.

So here I am, I have two chapters to go.  Well, enough talking about it.  I need to go finish!

Writing and Chewing

I came to the realization last night while I was writing that I like to chew on things while I am deep in thought.  Anyone that works with me or lives with me, knows that I chew on pens and pencils.  I especially like to chew the top of a pen cap.  Weird, I know.  I also LOVE popcorn, but don't like to chew gum.  So, as I was creating Chapter 8 in Book Two last night, I was very deep in thought.  There were several different angles I could take on a scene and I was thinking about the best option.  When I was in that thought provoking moment, I looked all around for a pen, pencil or anything to chew.  I remembered I purchased some chips from Costco so I grabbed those from the kitchen.  I returned to the scene, chewed and it was all good.

Why in the world am I telling you this?  For several reasons:
1. Writing can reveal things about yourself that you never knew.  They can be small revelations or large ones.  Bottom line: it is a chance to get better acquainted with the one person that will be with you the rest of your life-YOU.  Writing opens up closed areas of your mind.  Try it, you will see.

2. I have cracked a habit that has perplexed me for years.  I was way worse about chewing pencils when I worked at the CCC.  It drove my staff nuts; especially when I accidently chewed up their pencils.  (Huge apology to my CCC staff.)  Was my brain more challenged at the CCC than my current job?  Or have I grown mentally?  These questions I won't be able to answer, but it is fun to think about it.

3.  If I am ever writing one of my novels at your house, please keep all of your pencils and pens away from me.  Consider this your one and only warning.