10 Years Later: I wrote "The End"

July 2012

Tweenage me went out to a field with a heart-patterned binder and a few pieces of paper, and she started to write a story.

July 2022

This morning I curled up in my armchair and proofread the last bit of the last chapter of my novel.

10 years sounds like a lovely, round, meant-to-be number. And it is. But I had no clue it would take me that long. I thought I could whip it out in a year or two. But then the characters deepened and the plot thickened (literally: I’ve upgraded to multiple heavy-duty binders).

There were some years where I didn’t write often and quite a few months where I didn’t write at all. Most of the time it felt like I’d never get to the “The End”. And yet—unlike every other hobby I tried and tired of at that age, I always came back. I got attached to those characters, and their story hasn’t let me go. The Maiden’s Fire has been my passion project and my training grounds as an aspiring fantasy author.

Now, on its 10-year anniversary, I can finally say it:

I’ve written a novel.

Rough, messy, too shallow in some parts, too bloated in others, and (I’m sure any bigwig publisher would tell me) unfit for reader consumption.

But I made it from the first chapter to the last. Despite its imperfections. To spite my doubts. And I like to think there’s beautiful bits.

So, what’s next?

First: a *Giant Sigh of Relief* and maybe a happy dance

Then: Set the whole project aside. Let my brain refresh its creative juices. Revisit the Elvenworld (hopefully with some beta readers in tow). And revise.

At the moment, that feels daunting. But so did ever reaching the end of that dang first draft.

And here we are: my characters, their world, their journey, and me. A decade later.

Finished. For now.

In the meantime . . .

My novel’s teaser and a few of my short stories are ready-to-read here on my website. And if that leaves you craving more, let me know: I have 60ish chapters 10 years in the making that could use a 2nd pair of editing eyes.