Finishing a Book

I just got the cover image for my latest book, back from my cover artist. I won't talk about the details yet on my blog, but my newsletter subscribers will know what it is and when it's releasing. To subscribe to my newsletter, visit this page, and punch your e-mail address into the text box provided (it's free).

I'm also working on another, which you can also hear about through my newsletter, and yet a third, which I'm keeping very close to my chest.

I've actually done a lot of writing, since the release of A Petition to Magic.

The point is, when I finish a book, and it's out there, I don't feel any major sense of achievement. I don't even really feel much fear. Of course, the fear is there, "What will people think?" "Will I get sales?" "Will I get reviews?" etc. etc. But for me, the overriding emotion is sadness, because that story is done, the characters have said what they needed to say, and done what they needed to do, and there's nothing more to write about it. Sure, I could write another book featuring the same characters and setting, but that would be labouring the point, because the story is, in fact, over.

Come to think of it, I feel the same way as a reader, when I'm finished reading a really good book. I just wish it would go on and on...

So what do you think? As a writer, how do you feel after you've put your baby out into the world? As a reader, how do you feel after reading the last page of a book you really enjoyed? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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