That’s me. Feeling on top of the world post Masters submission!
This week I submitted my final 20,000 word piece of fiction for my Masters course.
It was a long slog, and I’m not going to lie, at times I had to ask myself why on earth I signed myself up for eighteen months of voluntary suffering. Deadlines. Word Counts. Critiques.
The stuff of nightmares.
But like all things writing related, it was, and continues to be, a labour of love. Over the past year and a half I’ve managed to get down 50,000 words of my novel. Sure, plenty of it is a mess and most chapters are still in their pre-pubescent stages with lots of awkward moments and embarrassing incidents I’m sure we’d all rather forget. But some parts are okay. Some parts are more than okay.
This feeling, it is not unlike pride.
One would expect (myself included) that post submission would involve one or all of the following:
- Cartwheels
- Excessive partying
- Shredding of draft manuscripts
- Smiling stupidly at inanimate objects
- More cartwheels
Instead I partook in:
- Sleep
- Excessive TV series marathons
- Sleep
- Sleep
Terribly anti-climatic, I know. Mostly I feel like a superhero who’s used too much of his powers in one go and now has to recharge before the heat-vision, flight, and superhuman strength returns. And when it does I’m looking forward to getting back to it. Because writing is cool. And fun. And creative. And worth the hard yards.
I’ve met some amazing people, some amazing writers and some amazing ideas over the last eighteen months, and for that I am indebted to the course. And while I hated the deadlines, and the word counts and the occasional ripping apart of my not-so brilliant ideas, I couldn’t have done it without any of those things. My story now exists on actual made-from-trees paper! And it’s growing. And that’s kind of exciting.
Perhaps it’s time for a cartwheel or two after all?
storytelling nomad 
Where can I buy it Katy?
I’ve got to finish it first Rob! But hopefully one day from any one of Edinburgh’s gorgeous little bookshops. A girl can dream right?
If a myopic student wizard can make it, I’m pretty sure you can!
That is excellent! Well done, Katy! :D
Cheers Chris :)
Congrats! Lots to celebrate. And I totally agree with the TV marathons. Rest up and then get back to it. :)
Thanks lovely Angela. I rewatched all of Dollhouse this week and I feel suitably reinvigorated!
Well done! The act of creation is always worthwhile – even if it only feels like that afterwards!
So true Belinda. Thank you :)
Congratulations, Katy. What a wonderful journey it’s been – tears, laughter, frustration, more laughter, hysterical laughter, and woohoo, joy!
Shirley! My confidante! I couldn’t have done it without you. And somewhere inside I have that curious desire to do it all over again! He he! Well done to you too talented writer friend that you are x
I already have a mental list of the television series I want to watch when Honours is done and dusted. It’s gonna be sweeeeeet…
Congratulations on a job well done, Katy! :D
Ohhhh I know the feeling, Jess! Also books! So many books I want to read. Keep on keeping on with that Honours. You can do it!
Hehe, well done! I can imagine that I’d be mostly sleeping, too. Oh, and staring at inanimate objects…
Thanks Miss Alexandrina! I think I’m nearly past the staring at inanimate objects stage…nearly.
Go Katy!! Maybe we can have a celebratory drink together in September. Only three months to go and we’ll be winging our way over there…
Yes! That would be amazing Penny. So looking forward to catching up! xo
Congrats!!!
Cheers!
Wow congratulations Katy, that must be such a relief! I just came back from my week-ish in Edinburgh, I’m sorry I didn’t pop over to see you, but my schedule to see all the important things was so packed! I have a feeling I may be back again though. ;) Your picture is awesome, I wish my holiday snaps looked like that! Lol, they usually just consist of me standing there squinting. :P
I know the feeling, after I handed in my thesis at the end of May I wanted to be all happy and party but instead I slept a lot and marathoned Castle. I think that after doing something so stressful and time consuming you just need to lay low for a while and recharge. Congrats on finishing your Masters!