Wednesday, May 16, 2007

The Last Word

I typed the last word of Amber Morn yesterday. My 15th book. (Thirteen novels, two nonfiction.) Then I did what I always do upon completing a manuscript. Well, not quite what I usually do. I typically kneel, but right now my foot won't flex that much. :) So I leaned way over in my chair, dropped my face in my hands, and prayed "Thank you, Jesus; Thank you, Jesus; Thank you, Jesus ..."

This one's bittersweet. It's the end of an entire series for me. The last book I'll write of my Kanner Lake characters. Although they all will live on in their blog posts on Scenes and Beans for the next year.

Today I'm going back over the manuscript, tweaking, making sure of details. (Not that I'll catch them all. In truth, I don't ever think my stories are worth much until after the rewrite.) All my books have a lot of details to wrap up--about the crime, the characters--but this one has to wrap up a four-book series. And it stars an ensemble cast of--I don't know, I lost count. Fifteen people, maybe. Plus all the supporting cast, which is large. Plus the three Big, Bad Guys. That a lot of characters. A lot of POVs.

A lot of headache.

I didn't realize until I was 3/4 of the way through the book that I'd sorta bitten off even more than usual this time.

But I made it.

My deep gratitude to all who have been praying for me. I'll tell you--I felt the prayers. God is so good. I couldn't handle this business without him.

So--praise from me. A hallelujah! How about you? Got something to praise God for lately--in your business or personal life? Let the BGs hear it! We'll celebrate 'em all at once.

13 comments:

Mary DeMuth said...

Woohoooooo, Brandilyn. I have a group of people praising God on your behalf over at my blog. http://www.relevantblog.blogspot.com. They're hanging in Paris, but that's okay, isn't it?

Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on another success. Praise God that He was faithful again to bring you through, even with a broken foot.
This morning I'm praising God that I was able to go 3/4 of a mile on my treadmill in 23 minutes. Not marathon level, but excellent for my knee. I have to keep concentrating on the positive, not focusing on that this used to be warm up level for me (and will be again as God completes my healing and strengthening). I'm also praising God for a breakthrough in my daughter's family. God is good.
Blessings,
Karen W.

Carrie said...

You go, girl! God is soooo faithful to see us through all the trials of life!
My acquisitions editor is interested in another book and my novel's opening received praise at a writer's conference in Wisconsin.

Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me.

Susanne said...

Congratulations Brandilyn! God is faithful to be right there along with you!

I'm praising God right now for keeping my daughter safe through rugby season. After each game with no injury is a breath of relief and thankfulness.

Christina Tarabochia said...

A very practical praise: we'd had a repair man look at our heat pump last year and he'd said it couldn't be fixed. The cheapest bid we could find was around $6,000 for a replacement. Called another guy who fixed it last week for $170. I feel like I just won the lottery!

Kristy Dykes said...

Congrats, B.! Can't wait to hear what's up your sleeve with Z.! I'll be waiting with baited breath to hear, in July! BTW, what in the world is baited breath? LOL Anybody know? I'm getting a mental picture of fishing worms falling out of a mouth. Yewee.

Eden said...

Congrats Brandilyn!!! You go girl!! Isn't God awesome?!!? He helped you through and you succeeded.

I've posted a review for Coral Moon. I know it's late and I apologize. But even though I hadn't posted a review yet, I told everyone I met about your book.

Oh I have a new name and look at my blog.

Eden

Anonymous said...

Congrats, Brandilyn!

I'm with Kristy-when do we get to hear what's up next?

Jerri Ledford said...

Congratulations, Brandilynn! I know you must be hugely relieved/excited/scared that the book is done. It's a toxic mixture of emotion that keeps you praying and praising our wonderful God.

I'm celebrating with you. I haven't written a novel, but I have finished three technology books lately. The most recent about three days ago. It's a great feeling.

So praise God for his blessings on all of us!

Jerri

~ Brandilyn Collins said...

Oh, hahaha! Kristy, it's BATED, not BAITED. Bated means restrained, so bated breath means, you're holding back from breathing.

Gave me my laugh for the day. :)

Tina Ann Forkner said...

Congrats Brandilyn. :) That is awesome. So glad you share your journey so honestly on your blog for the rest of us.

Dineen A. Miller said...

I'm late to stop by on this one. Just wanted to say the cover is awesome! :-)

Lynette Sowell said...

Waytogo!!! I'm sure it must be bittersweet to close the door (if not firmly) on Kanner Lake. I've been out of the loop for a bit, so it's great to hear you're DONE. :0