NaNoWriMo Update #5 – I WON!

This post is a little late this AM because I was FINISHING MY NOVEL! Can you tell I’m a little excited? For a while there, I was so far behind it felt like I wasn’t going to make it, I wasn’t going to reach that NaNoWriMo 50,000 word goal. But here I am! With 50,100 words and a complete draft of my first novel, I couldn’t feel happier this grey November morning.

The last few days have been rough – from realizing that I was going to write the last chapter before my word count was complete, to thinking that this was maybe book one of a two part series, there was a lot of doubt about whether I would finish this thing.

Now that it’s done – well, as ‘done’ as a first draft can be – I’m looking forward to spending some time away from it. Is that bad? I want to approach it with fresh eyes sometime next year, and start the editing process. And boy, does it need a lot of work!

Thanks to everyone who stuck with me throughout this process, and commented on each update. Your encouragement means so much to me, and I truly think I couldn’t have done it without you.

It wouldn’t be a NaNo Update without an excerpt, would it? Here’s the last little teaser I’ll be sharing for a while…

It’s okay to step back every once in a while, Pisces. The harsh realities of life can become an overwhelming burden to bear, and it’s okay to want to escape sometimes. Surround yourself with the people, the things, the moments that make you truly happy, and recharge your batteries. It’s only when we step back from it all that we can see it clearly, that we can figure out how to face it again.

I’m having a bit of de-ja vu, all of us packed into Shelley’s van, driving to the beach. But things are so different now. Supposedly, it’s a senior tradition – skipping school on Friday and going to the beach, where there’s no shortage of alcohol, swim suits, house parties, and all the normal high school stuff. It’s kind of the last real senior event before graduation, which is really just for the parents anyway.

Sitting shotgun, I look over at Jon. I still haven’t decided what I’m going to do next year. He keeps telling me that we’ll figure it out, that we have all summer. But he doesn’t understand. He has it all figured out. His life, anyway. It’s my life, my plan that’s still up in the air.

His hair flickers softly in the wind through the windows, a subtle smile on his lips. He somehow gets more attractive everyday. Or maybe I just fall in love with him a little more. He knows exactly what I need, even when I don’t know what that is myself. There’s something about him that’s always trying to fix things, to settle things. And I know it’s driving him crazy that I won’t tell him if I’m coming with him to California in August.

Scottie and Tyler sit in the far back, Scottie leaning on his shoulder as she dozes off. Seth sits in the middle seat, trying to put together a set list for the next couple nights. His band is playing at some of the parties, an unofficial – official agreement that has lit a fire under him. I’ve never seen him so serious. This’ll be their first time playing in front of anyone. Seth claims they were ‘perfecting their sound’ and ‘building up a repertoire’, but I really think they just don’t want to suck. There’s no pressure when it’s just you and your buds in a garage. It’s a whole different story when you’re playing in front of your peers.

I’m excited to see him play. I feel like there’s this whole secret side of him that I haven’t seen yet.

“What’re you thinking?” Jon asks, reaching a hand over, placing it palm up on my thigh, waiting for mine.

I carefully weave our fingers together. “Everything,” I admit.

He looks over at me and smiles.

“Are we there yet?” I tease.

“Almost,” he says, giving my hand a squeeze.

Thanks again for all your support!

XOXO

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