Novel #2 Progress: Benadryl Blues

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It’s official, my sinuses hate me. The yo-yo weather of late is turning my head into a ticking time bomb and I swear it’s ready to blow. To preserve my sanity, I’ll be keeping this update rather short.

Word Count Progress:

Draft #1 Word Count:

  • Start Word Count: 60,366
  • End Word Count: 63,373
  • Total: 3,007

Draft #2 Revised Word Count:

  • Start Word Count: 62,703
  • End Word Count: 65,883
  • Total: 3,180

Writing Process Notes:

  • It’s been four days since I’ve worked on Novel #2, but I’ve decided no work is better than trying to revise while under the influence of Benadryl. No good can come from the drowsy stupor I find myself in whenever I take those little pink pills.
  • My goal for this week is to reach 90% completion. That way I can use Spring Break to complete the final 10%. I don’t like how close to the deadline this is all happening, but at this point I don’t have much choice but to plow through.

Novel Tidbit:

Epilogue or not?

  • I’ve been playing with the idea of an epilogue since I finished Novel #2. As a matter of fact, I’ve already written the epilogue as a segue into the sequel. The only thing I can’t decide is whether the segment should stay an epilogue or become the first chapter of the next book.
  • The epilogue basically focuses on the morning after the closing action sequence. Everything appears calm and Amanda can finally relax after what can only be described as a traumatizing experience. However, just as everything starts to feel normal, her new reality reminds her that nothing can ever be as it was before. Too much has changed and too many dangers remain.
  • So, readers, what is your opinion concerning epilogues? Love them or hate them, share your thoughts in the comments.

– – –

c.b.w. 2013

27 thoughts on “Novel #2 Progress: Benadryl Blues”

  1. I like epilogues personally. Sometimes when a story just ends after the big action happens I feel a little let down and annoyed. I think “Then what?”. A short epilogue that shows the main character going back about their life, or a little teaser of what is to come makes me feel better. So I say do it!

    Good call on not working while on Benadryl. If I was on it I think I would only write scenes about big fluffy beds, naps on the beach and sitting in the park.

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  2. Epilogues: love them and hate them–it really depends on how they are written. As a reader I find that too often they feel like the author’s attempt to simply tie up loose ends. I like the idea of writing the first chapter of the sequel to be included at the end as a teaser to get the reader hooked on the next book.

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  4. catherinelumb

    I would agree with some of the other comments – epilogues that just create ‘happy ever afters’ can be quite sickly, but the way you describe yours does sound like a bit of a teaser for the next book. Therefore, as someone suggested, perhaps it could be the first chapter, previewed in the previous novel? Sort of an Epilogue for the original novel, but a prologue for the sequel to remind people how things ended previously?
    Good luck with your sinuses, hope you feel better soon. Take Care, Cat x

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    • Thanks for the well wishes! 🙂

      I’m definitely not doing a happily ever after epilogue (I hate those, too!). What I’ve written definitely creates a teaser for the next novel, but I don’t know that its enough as a stand alone chapter. I may have to think a bit more . . .

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    • That’s what I’m thinking – I wrote the epilogue as something like a bridge between this book and the next. I drop a big plot bomb, but I don’t give too much away at the same time. 🙂

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  7. I like the idea of a teaser to the next book. Sometimes epilogues wrap-things-up but my energy for the book has already moved on…..unless it’s a cliff hanger and I can wait for the next book. Ask why you want one or need one? Of course, an editor will set you right….

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    • That’s true. The inspiration for what I’ve written was a surprise so I just rolled with it until I ended up with something kind of interesting. Perhaps my beta reader will give me some insight, too. 🙂

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    • I’ve noticed epilogues show up quite a bit in YA fantasy books that are part of a series. Sometimes they are beautifully crafted and other times, they’re not. I supposed that’s where my ambivalence falls – I’ve never written one until now, so I’m wondering if its good or bad!

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  10. For me, the best epilogue is the head-snapper…where there is one last magic trick to be offered; one that the reader never saw coming. In a paragraph or two, done well, you can change everything about everything? -Lynn

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  11. I agree with the comment by lynnbiederstadt…they are great as a final way to say to the reader “you thought everything was wrapped up and that you figured it all out, but here’s a little surprise to keep you thinking about what you think just happened.” And if it’s a teaser for the next novel, so much the better.
    Benedryl completely takes over my brain, too. No point wasting your energy on conscious thought, ’cause you can’t have any conscious thoughts on the stuff. Hope you feel better soon.

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  13. Hope you’re feeling better! It’s the worst when the weather can’t make up its mind. :/

    From the description of your epilogue, I would vote yes. It sounds like a great teaser for its sequel, and I love that intentional hook that draws me into the next book before I even open its cover.

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