The thrill of victory!
Yesterday, I finished a marathon.
I won a gold medal.
I received the Nobel Peace Prize…and I had all the laundry done, the kitchen clean and the toilets sparkled.
Okay, that last part isn’t true. Well, none of it is true.
But I did finish my book! 
And trust me, there were many victory laps around the house. And dancing. Lots and lots of dancing. I don’t think there was any music in the house, but it was playing loud in my head!
Something along the lines of “Ding, dong the witch is dead!”
No, I didn’t kill my witch heroine…though at times, I really, really wanted to.
The creative process is a fascinating thing and even though I’ve been writing seriously since 1987, I haven’t figured it out. I think at one time or another, all of the Plotmonkeys have ruminated over the difficulties and the joys of writing. We spend a lot of time when we go on our plotting weekends talking about not just the stories themselves, but the process. And no matter how long of us have all been doing this, no matter how many books we’ve written, every book is a different journey.
This book has been particularly hellish for me, truth be told, and I don’t have enough distance from the story yet to be able to figure out why. A huge part of the problem–if not all of it–had nothing to do with the book itself, but with the things going on in my life and career while I was trying to write it, the largest part being the uncertainty about my Marisela series, my editor leaving, my publisher and I parting ways and the search for a new publisher. All writers go through these ups and downs–trust me, I’m not begging for sympathy for here! It’s just the reality.
Now, keep in mind that nobody’s life is ever perfect. We all have to do our jobs while the stress and pressure of every day life bears down on us. Trust me, I’m completely aware of this truth. Sometimes, writing books can be a wonderful distraction, a safe haven from life. I can control the characters, tell them what to do, bend them to my will.
But then some books come along that will not be controlled, will not listen to me and fight against my will.
This wasn’t one of those books. I wish it would have been because that particular problem I’ve dealt with before. But nooooooo. This book was different.
And frankly, I’m still not sure what the trouble was overall. Once I got into the book, certain parts sped out of my fingers. Other parts I struggled with. One issue that did crop up is when I write my single title books, like my Marisela books, I can go off on tangents and work them back into the plot so that everything is smooth and related. When I’m writing a Blaze, something I admittedly haven’t done in a while, I have to focus on the romance. That can be a problem when you have cool witches running around, in addition to evil warlocks. I wanted magic! Action! Exploding balls of magic fire and spells and wands and…well, you get the idea.
But this is a BLAZE. It’s about the romance. Not that it’s a bad thing…but emotional stories are HARD.
Boy, do I sound like a whiner or what? 
All in all, I’m happy with the final outcome. The last chapter has lots of action, exploding balls of magic fire and all the stuff that literally fires me up. The rest of the book has a romance that turned out to be very sweet, very poignant and very fun and sexy, too. Give me a few weeks, and I’ll love the book. Unlike Leslie, I never love my books until a long time after they’re done–usually right before they are released after all the revisions, line edits, copy edits, galleys and such are done. After all the work is done. After the readers start writing in and telling me how much they enjoy the story. Trust me when I tell you that every kind word an author hears from a reader is pure gold. I’m going to need a lot of that come August 2007…and trust me, I’ll remind you all!
Anyway, I’m off now to spend a day catching up on all the things I’ve let fall by the wayside. Things like, oh, CHRISTMAS SHOPPING and baking and spending time with my family. I’m probably going to grab all my nieces and nephews and take them all to the movies. Eragon. A Night At The Museum. Charlotte’s Web. I don’t care! I’m free, I’m free!
For at least two weeks…and then, it’s back to my witching world.
Until then…let’s party!!!!!
Yay Julie! Yep, let’s get this party started LOL. Congrats on finishing the book. I guess as long as you’re always being challenged, you’ll find new and creative outlets for your work…at least I’m trying to justify the angst and difficulties some projects can provide. Now here’s to enjoying the holidays with family and friends.
Comment by Stacy ~ — December 20, 2006 @ 7:21 am
congrats on finishing Julie. It has got to be stressful, hitting that deadline, with the big deadline of the 25th also looming. Can’t think of a better reason for a :cocktail: or
, or multiples of each.
Can we consider everyone getting their books done, an early Christmas :present: for all of us, even though we won’t get to read them right away????
Comment by ev — December 20, 2006 @ 8:19 am
Congrats Julie!!! Now go enjoy the holidays…I can’t wait to read this book, it’s going to be great, but then I always love all of your books.
Merry Christmas, see you in January.
Comment by Vicki — December 20, 2006 @ 9:45 am
Yeah - congratulations! I can only imagine what a tremendous sense of relief it is to finish something that has a deadline looming over your head - especially like Ev said, with the 25th so close too.
Enjoy the movie. Enjoy the holiday crowds and traffic (probably a stretch, but hey it’s part of the season). Enjoy your two weeks of family and fun!
Comment by Jodie — December 20, 2006 @ 9:57 am
Huge congrats, Julie - there’s nothing quite like wrestling one like this to the mat, is there? Enjoy the finishing “high”
I bet you find this will be one of your most popular books ever — I’m starting to find that the books that fight me the hardest, that are the most difficult to write, seem to be the most loved when they hit the shelves. I had all kinds of worries about Untouched for that reason — it was a bear to write, and even took 5 versions of a synopsis to get to the actual book — but the rewards are worth it! 
What’s the title of your difficult baby? Do you know yet? I want to keep an eye out for it, since while it’s always nice to have a book come out easily, I think the difficult ones are, in the end, the best. 
Sam
Comment by Sam Hunter — December 20, 2006 @ 9:58 am
Congrats on finishing the book Julie!!! Have fun with your family and friends over the holidays.
Comment by Liza — December 20, 2006 @ 10:04 am
Comment by Kelly — December 20, 2006 @ 10:12 am
I just want to thank all the plotmonkeys for doing what you do! I know I could never write a book in a million years. I’m so glad you can get the stories in your head on paper so that others, like me, can enjoy them and escape the reality of our lives for a little while!!
Comment by Darcey — December 20, 2006 @ 10:13 am
Congratulations of finishing the book.
I know that is a big load off your shoulders.
you take care now an denjoy your little bit of time off.:doggie:
Comment by Gigi — December 20, 2006 @ 10:20 am
Thanks, everyone! Sam, the title is STRIPPED and it’s part of the Bad Girls Club series that will launch in July with Tori Carrington’s book…the title of which totally just popped out of my head. They are July, I’m August and Leslie is September. The three of us did the Bad Girls Club series in Temptation a while back…good times.
Comment by Julie Leto — December 20, 2006 @ 10:55 am
Congratulations!!!
Isn’t it great that the plotmonkeys have had such a successful week?
Have a Wonderful Wednesday.:love2:
Comment by Debbie — December 20, 2006 @ 11:29 am
Yey, Julie!!!!
Comment by katie — December 20, 2006 @ 12:30 pm
wtg julie
Comment by kim H — December 20, 2006 @ 1:01 pm
Julie, I loved the Bad Girls, can’t wait until I get to read those books!
Congratulations on finishing the book! Enjoy the holidays, family & just have fun, maybe even find time to veg out & indulge in something for you! Plotmonkeys are having a great week–Yea! :cocktail: :present:
Time to:
Comment by Donna M — December 20, 2006 @ 1:23 pm
Yahoo!!!!!!!!! Let the good times begin!!!
Comment by Barbara-Jo — December 20, 2006 @ 1:51 pm
Julie, love the title! We’ll be shelf buddies — I have PICK ME UP out in August, too, a Forbidden Fantasy. I think it’s going to be a HOT summer!
Merry, merry…
Sam
Comment by Sam Hunter — December 20, 2006 @ 2:15 pm
Congrats Julie! I recently finished a book that presented a huge struggle for me. Now that the air is clear, I can sorta, kinda, maybe see why. Luckily, I feel very at home in my Blaze books, which is what I’m working on now. I rarely struggle with them. But even then, the journey itself is sometimes riddled with potholes. Happy holidays!!!
Comment by Kimberly Raye — December 20, 2006 @ 2:57 pm
Woohoo Julie! You’re done your Bad Girls Club book…wanna write mine?
Congrats!
Comment by Leslie — December 20, 2006 @ 3:59 pm
Leslie, no f*cking way.
Sam, I knew we were shelfmates…I heard the hombre on your cover is muy caliente! They wanted to use him on my cover…but, ahem, it’s a bad GIRLS book…really shouldn’t have a guy, however delicioso, solo on the cover. Then your book came up and he found a happy home! Can’t wait to see him. (I just heard the story yesterday!)
I did some shopping today. I also, clearly, need to have a shot of the coquito that someone sent my husband…Puerto Rican egg nog made with RUM. :cocktail: I’ve been in a salsa mood all day!
Comment by Julie Leto — December 20, 2006 @ 4:13 pm
WTG Julie!
Comment by Estella — December 20, 2006 @ 4:18 pm
Way to go Julie!
Here’s a good recipe for Coquito!
Coquito Makes about 10 cups: 1 coconut 3/4 to 1 bottle (750-ml) dark or light rum , preferably Brugal or Bacardi One (13 1/2-ounce) can coconut milk , preferably Coco Lopez One (15-ounce) can cream of coconut , preferably Coco Lopez Two and one-half (12-ounce) cans evaporated milk 2 large cinnamon sticks
This was on a Martha Stewart Show a while back.
have a wonderful two weeks off.
Comment by jeannie — December 20, 2006 @ 4:25 pm
Thanks, Jeannie! I’m making a grocery list right now!
Comment by Julie Leto — December 20, 2006 @ 5:10 pm
Jeannie…that sounds YUMMY!!!
Comment by katie — December 20, 2006 @ 5:17 pm
I am soooo jealous. I, too, am writing an August Blaze. I, however, am not done, and will not be done until Jan 2. ::sigh::
But, and I mean this with no snark whatsoever, I’m happy for you. Go do something that takes no thought, like get a massage. That’s always good for an end-of-book celebration.
Comment by Jo Leigh — December 20, 2006 @ 5:42 pm
Julie when do you think we will have another Marisela book. I sure do like the character. Not pushing, just curious. I am currently reading a vampire series by jr Ward. To my shock and pleasure I am enjoying it emensely. I also found “Don’t open til Christmas” by Leslie Kelly. I paid more for it used than new but she said it was her favorite so I had to have it. I am so in love with reading romance I barely ever watch TV any more. I have a few more oldie but goodies to find before I can say I have read all the plotmonkeys books but I am getting close. I so love spiked eggnog. Never a drinker here but from Thanksgiving to Christmas every year I never pass on a good eggnog.
Just for a smile: When I was young there was no cold breakfast cereal. For breakfast before we left for school my mom would make us drink our breakfast before we left home. Then there was no raw egg warnungs. She would, with a hand egg beater, make us each an eggnog. 1 tsp sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, 1 raw egg and 1 glass of milk. I loved it. Her other offering, she called gruel. Gruel was a couple of tablespoons of any hot oatmeal, creme of wheat or rice mixed in hot milk. Boy you had to drink it fast before the cereal sank back to the bottom. The eggnog made me think of it. Hey anyone remember having milk on toast for breakfast or graham crackers in milk. I know I am really showing my age.
Comment by jeannie — December 20, 2006 @ 5:48 pm
Congratulations, Julie on getting your book done……..Way to go and time to party for at least the next two weeks……..enjoy !!
Comment by Cryna — December 20, 2006 @ 6:35 pm
Twas the week before Christmas
And all over my desk
The work’s piled up high
I’ll never get to rest
I hit internet explorer
clicked my favorite site
There the Plotmonkeys fun
was shining so bright
I scrolled down the words
they’re new everyday
They make you belong
in their own special way
I try posting once a day
sometimes I post twice
It makes me feel good
and everyones so nice.
From the top of the post
each comment I read
the PlotMonkeys are cool
a great feeling indeed
Now, I’ll get back to work
But I just had to say
The Plot Monkeys are super
Have a great Holiday
Okay most of the time.
Comment by jeannie — December 20, 2006 @ 6:43 pm
Wow, Jeannie. That was AWESOME! Thank you
Comment by Carly — December 20, 2006 @ 7:48 pm
Jeannie….geez, and I was going to write Janelle a limerick this week. You put me to shame
Comment by katie — December 20, 2006 @ 7:48 pm
inspired me. So no hiding
Step up to the limerick,
feel the love
We are all friends
here
What comes from your :love2: we will love.:love2:
I am a copyrighted ditty writer. It’s the Irish blood in me I guess
I do it for fun to make people laugh or feel good.
I’m no Helen Steiner Rice
That’s for sure. Hugs
Comment by jeannie — December 20, 2006 @ 9:02 pm
I know exactly how you f eel! Book One in my YA series was a long time coming ( it should’ve been done in June. Of last year). When I finished the last sentence, I sat there and cried. I went over my self-imposed deadline by about a week, but I was done. My hubby and his friend thought something was wrong. But it was teas of relief. I was pushing myself to write everyday: for an hr during my lunch then 3 more when I got home. I was practically locked up in my office for a month trying to get it done and it nearly killed me. Figuratively, of course.
Instead of self-publishing (I have my own company) I decided to go the traditional road with this series and will start looking for an agent after the New Year (makes a great resolution, doesn’t it?). I think that’s where the other part of my tears came from. When I finish the second book in the series, I imagine I’ll do what you did. LOL.
The first one’s always the hardest, I think.
Comment by Celise — December 20, 2006 @ 9:37 pm
Jo, I like the way you think! If I didn’t have another story due January 15th, trust me…I’d have gone over the holidays, too. I did it last year and frankly, tried really hard not to do it this year. Really ruins the season to have it hanging over your head. So hugs!!!
Jeannie, we had graham crackers and milk! We also had toast and cafe con leche…this was before someone decided caffeine wasn’t good for kids, LOL! I loved Cream of Wheat–still do–but never had it mixed with anything!
Comment by Julie Leto — December 20, 2006 @ 9:54 pm
Great poem Jeannie
yeah Julie
Comment by Cherylann — December 20, 2006 @ 10:04 pm
Celise, the first one is hard…but I don’t think it gets any easier. For me, it’s always gotten harder. Sorry! But brava for finishing! It’s an amazing accomplishment! And good luck on your agent safari. I have some old blog posts at my marisela blog that talk about looking for agents. You might want to check it out.
Jeannie! Great poem!!!
Comment by Julie Leto — December 20, 2006 @ 10:07 pm
Jeannie–I love your poem, thanks so much!
And thanks also for shelling out bucks on Don’t Open Till Christmas. I really hope you enjoy it!
Jo, good luck on the deadline! Now I don’t feel quite so bad about my September book…lolol!
Comment by Leslie — December 21, 2006 @ 12:20 pm