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Less than 2000 words to go!  But that doesn't mean it's finishing....grrr!

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Just a moment ago I roared past the target word count.  What a magical feeling it always is to hit this particular personal goal.  Six months ago, staring at 150,000 words or so, it's always daunting and very satisfying to pass that marker by.

Now - sigh- it's time to spring to the finish line!

 

Fx

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I'm sure it must be bittersweet Fiona!

Thinking of you

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Congratulations on pursuing your completion goals and flying to the set word count and soon the finish line. Will be curious to hear the final word count once the multitude of characters perform their roles.  

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20,000 words past the estimated word count and the story roars on but I feel myself entering the tunnel of closure.  That's how it always feels.  The stories suddenly becomes squashed and all the characters are wearing blinkers all racing toward the light at the end of the tunnel.  I'm predicting another 10-15K words max and King's Wrath will be done in the next few days but it will be a big manuscript.  I shall be very glad to get it away to my editors this coming week sometime.

Thank you all for the support along the way.  Fx

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Who knows what editing and tightening up the story will lead in final word count, but, Fiona, rest assured that your readers will thank you for a longer story; especially in the third installment to a trilogy.  A good book always ends too soon!

Phil

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Totally agree with Phil! 

The updates are really exciting Fiona! Thankyou!

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I'm so very curious...knowing that the last book wasn't ready yet, I tried to stretch the time it took me to read Tyrant's blood, but that was a near impossible task. I took the train instead of the car just to be able to keep reading (to be honest, the snowfall also had some influence in that decision, but the book was the closing factor in my decision). And now that I'm finished, I can't wait for the sequel. Bring it on!

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Thanks for enjoying Tyrant, Jutje....and I'm feeling absolutely no pressure at all regarding Wrath!  <wink>

The latest update is that I am now 25,000 words past the original estimate and I still have so many characters rushing around.  I tell you there's going to be a bloodbath in a moment if they they don't sort themselve out and give in or give up or walk away!  Be warned I will kill everyone and be done!  There is a deadline to meet.....dead-line.  Death is coming unless they pay attention to my warnings!  hrumpmhhh!   They have until tomorrow night.  You heard it here!

 

Fx

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Awesome - sounds like you have a lot of really strong characters who are resisting any deadline - they have their story to tell and want it to go wherever they take it. That in itself says that the saga is worth the work. While the extinction of some will be inevitable I trust that given their strength and resoolve to live this long that they find a noble finish to their roles. Well done on achieving flow and quickening at the final stages of writing - it really has a life and momentum of its own - but you are the owner so while they are demnding to be heard - you are in control and I hope that they take heed of the warning... It must be so much fun at this stage to see it all come together and achieve a logical and satisfying conclusion. Congratulatiosn on another major milestone and writing success.  

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Fiona - you tease us too much!  LOL  If the characters are forcing you to think about spin off books I won't complain! heheheh

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31,000 words over, everyone being stubborn and here comes the grim reaper in the form of my fingertips over the keyboard!

I shouldn't jest.  The story is the shape of the story that has unfolded and I have done nothing different to how I've written the last dozen fantasies.  The fact that I have a lot characters still sharply in focus suggests to me that those still standing are all necessary to this very complex plot of secrets and I did anticipate as I started writing King's Wrath that there would be this cluster of events and clash of people as the story moved towards its culmination and all the truths were revealed.

I have no doubt that it will end tomorrow with tears for some and happiness for others.  We shall see because I have no plan! 

F

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WOW! Just trying to get caught up and I must say I felt excitement reading your updates Fiona. This is so cool to be able to follow you through this process. I can not wait to get this book in my hands... Lord only knows what you have in store next?

Fairlyn~

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Just hit 185,000 words and the Epilogue - thank goodness! Another couple of thousand should do it and then HOORAY!!!

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King's Wrath is finished to first draft. It has ended up at just under 190,000 words - the biggest manuscript I have ever written. Lots of room for an editor to get out a red pen and go beserk. Of course I haven't read it back yet....so it's going to be interesting to work through it and get a handle on its final shape. I'd like to break out a bottle of champagne but as I don't drink I think diet coke will have to do .... and perhaps some chocolate! I shall sleep soundly with a smile of relief on my face tonight. Night all. Fx

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Go on Fiona, have a real coke Well done.

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This is great to hear, Fiona!  I don't care how long it is, I'm sure it will be an excellent ending!

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An epic indeed and bravo and thank you to the worthy survivors and to those valiant or devious who passed from their world in those final pages. A mighty effort and job well done Fiona.  

  Enjoy the celebrations and hope the editor's red ink is sparcely used - a big read will be a bonus. 

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King's Wrath draft one has gone to its three editors in Australia, US and UK. There's going to be a LOT of work on this and it will be back to me all too soon but for now it's sweet relief. For those of you who follow these things it ended up at a shade under 190,000 words and just a page or two short of 900 pages. It's a biggie. Let's see how the red pens go! Best to all and I'm going to take a few days off now to spend doing nothing of importance with my sons in their last few days of freedom before they go to uni. I'm not very good at doing nothing so it's going to be interesting how long I last but I plan to do a lot of walking, a lot of sleeping, a lot of movie-watching, a lot of cooking. Fx

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Fantastic - good on you Fiona! 

So exciting to hear the progress!