stunnedStart date: September 4th, 2005.
End date: September 2nd, 2011.
Volumes: Three.
Words: 455,814.
Pages: An awful lot.
...so yeah. That happened.
Last night, at approximately 9:15PM, I finished processing the last of the editorial changes to Blackout, and kicked the manuscript off to The Agent for a final typo check. She kicked it back to me this morning, and at approximately 5:21AM, I finished correcting the last of the grammatical and typographical errors. The book is back with her for a final final check, and then it's off to The Other Editor, to begin the process of transforming into something you can read.
It's over.
I have other things to do in this universe, other stories to tell and to enjoy telling, but this story, this trilogy...it's over. I am finished with the Masons. Their tale is done.
I've never finished anything like this before. I feel a little numb and a little scalded and a little overwhelmed, all at once.
Thank you. Thank you to everyone who's read these books, recommended these books, loved these books, hated these books, or interacted with them in any way. Thank you to Michael and Amanda, Kate and GP, Spider and Steve, Alan and Jude, Brooke and Vixy and Bill and Mike and Rae and Sunil and Amy and Cat and...and...and everyone. Just thank you.
Thank you for helping me tell this story. I never could have done it on my own.
Alive or dead, the truth won't rest. Thank you for helping me to rise up while I could.
September 2 2011, 22:35:30 UTC 5 years ago
Blackout will be the best birthday present I get next year. (You thoughtfully release them on my birthday. Thank you for the lovely present.)
I'm a scientist, and your pseudo-science is good and plausible. (I'm not in the biology field, though.)
Some of your other work has also become an anthem for a friend and me. It's your "Wicked girls". We are a very non-talented running team : Team Stupidly Determined (generally taking out the highly regarded last spots), and when we need to encourage each other we use your words. (Other things too, but often it is the lyrics from your songs.) I have tattoos, but none of them are of words. Last weekend, I was busy earning last spot in a half marathon, and when it was getting ugly, I was singing your song in my head, which made it easier. Then I realised, I've never had words on me, because I didn't know my "Forever words". During that run, they came to me. "Stupidly Determined Wicked Girl". Thank you, also, for my forever words.
September 3 2011, 16:41:18 UTC 5 years ago
You are so welcome.