Can you actually say you know the exact moment a story is done, finished, and that’s it?

For me, the end never quite seems to be the end, that point where you finally draw a line in the sand and say, that’s it, I’m done, step away from the typewriter.

But are we ever satisfied the story is done, can we not make one more change, it’s just a little tweak, it won’t take long.

Please!

My editor tolerated three ‘minor’ changes.

Firstly, a change of name for a character

Secondly, consistency of word use, such as times and contractions

Thirdly, I wasn’t happy with the overall story, and it needed some more action.  More writing, more editing, more prevaricating.

It took three weeks to sort out all of those issues, and last night I send the final draft to the Editor.

It’s like watching your child go to school on their first day.  Not knowing what will happen but expecting everything will be fine.

But, knowing me, I’ll probably react to a suggestion, and it will create more words rather than less, or some slight dissatisfaction.

I’m not a perfectionist, far from it, but it is hard to finally let go.

Now the draft is gone, it’s time to work on the second book in the series, which had been over half done.  I need to sit down, read, fix, read more, add or subtract as the case may be, and then continue writing.

I think I’m getting the hang of it.

Until I go to bed trying to sleep and thinking of everything that might need fixing.

Damn.