25 June 2012

Done!

Done! The school year finally sputtered to an end when Four finished on Thursday. Between different district calendars and final exams I had to wake different people every day. It was confusing and exhausting.

Done! Last Monday was One's last day of high school. This was his fifth year, and the first year he navigated entirely on his own. He had no aide to help him, took all mainstream classes, and did exceedingly well. I drove him in for his final exam and wept on the ride back home. I'm so proud of him, but worry worry worry about next fall, when he'll start at our community college.

Done! Three graduated from eighth grade. He looked so tall and handsome in his gown. We are most proud of him for his perfect attendance this year. When he was in fifth grade his anxiety kept him out of school for more than half the year, so it was fairly amazing that he showed up for all 180 days. I hope he continues the trend in high school, when everything becomes exponentially more difficult.

Done! Two's sophomore year. Thank God.

Done! After two and a half years of sporadic writing, I finished my book today! Oh sure, I could go on about how it's really just the first draft of my manuscript, and now I have to go back to the beginning and revise the whole damn thing, but instead I'm going to take this moment to revel in my awesomeness. I WROTE A BOOK! Even better: I HAVE FIVE CHILDREN, AND I WROTE A BOOK! Truly impressive: I HAVE FIVE CHILDREN, SOME OF WHOM HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS, AND I WROTE A BOOK! Okay that's a little wordy, but I'm going with it because I'm pretty astonished that I finished.

When BIG SKY is published I'll write all my acknowledgments and dedications, but I just want to thank all of you for your support during this portion of the journey. The best part of becoming a writer has been meeting new people and forming friendships, even if our only communication has been electronic. But I especially want to thank the Captain, who sent me to a hotel so I could write without interruption, and my dear friends Janet and June, who gave me my first Jennifer Crusie book and watched my boys so I could attend my first writers conference. They believed in me before I did.

Done! I've posted 200 entries in the Diaries! O, how I've enjoyed sharing the beauty and sorrow, the tragedy and triumph, the blood and the stench. Bless you for following along.

35 comments:

  1. Wow. You have so many major accomplishments all at once. That's fantastic.
    If your life was a demolition derby you'd get the Mad Dog trophy for tenaciously hanging in there.
    Mad Dog Megan. It has a nice ring to it.

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    1. I'm totally adopting that moniker. And if I was a better skater, I'd join the derby!

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  2. Yay! I can hear the trumpets blowing the fan fair for Mad Dog! You did it, you wrote a whole effing book. Take yourself out for ice cream and revel in your awesomeness.

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    1. I made myself a huge bowl of ice cream last night! Chocolate, vanilla, walnuts, syrup and whipped cream! I'll worry about the weight after vacation.

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  3. "I HAVE FIVE CHILDREN, SOME OF WHOM HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS, AND I WROTE A BOOK!"

    AAAAAAMEEEEEEN.

    I admire you so much, Megan. And Delia and Kate... all these writing mothers. I look forward to reading more and more Bettybooks! (And if you ever need another beta reader, I'm in. ;-) )

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    1. I'm still amazed by the people who do this for a living! Really, how do they stay focused?

      And, I hope to provide you with many, many Bettybooks to read (although I know you just culled your shelves...)!

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  4. Wow. Just wow. I am awestruck by your awesomeness. (I know that sounded snarky but it really wasn't). I am truly amazed by someone who can manage to mother more than two, can manage to mother special needs, AND can write?!!! Totally awesomesauce, as my daughter would say. Celebrate yourself!

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    1. "Awesomesauce" is a great word. I'm going to incorporate it into my daily vocabulary.

      "I'd like the burger, with a side of awesomesauce, please."

      "I think she's been hitting the awesomesauce again."

      "Your hair looks fantastic! Did you use awesomesauce?"

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  5. You are amazing!! Yay you. What a lot you have to celebrate. BRAVO!

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    1. It was wonderful how all the important things happened in the same week! Now we have markers to help us remember:

      "When did you finish your book, Mom?"

      "When you graduated eighth grade."

      "Wow! And it's published already!"

      (That last part is wishful thinking.)

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  6. Wow. Amazing. Inspiring. Well Done! Congratulations on typing "The End" to your first book and navigating another year of school.

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    1. Well, I did threaten to sacrifice a child to the writing gods if I didn't get it done this week, so I probably could have handled the end with more grace. But, you know, it worked!

      I'm very proud of BOTH accomplishments, because the school thing was usually harder.

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  7. You are my AWESOME daughter and in my heart I celebrate YOU everyday for the wonderful woman that you are and marvel at all the roles you carry in your life and how successfully you carry them. I am your #1 fan. Everybody else get in line. There's an AUTHOR among us.

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    1. Thanks, Mom. And I promise to stop cursing. Look, I even edited out the eff word as part of my evolution!

      Just for today. (But love you always.)

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  8. Yay!!! You are awesome! I cannot wait to read it. :) (But, seriously, take a breather. All that other stuff is exhausting.)

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    1. We leave for Yellowstone tomorrow, which is the perfect breather. Unless an extended electronics-free period drives my children insane.

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  9. YOU FUCKING ROCK

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  10. So Carrie's in Italy and may not chime in for awhile, so I'm speaking for the Trimble sisters when I say: YAY!!! ON ALL ACCOUNTS, YAY!!!!!

    You're awesome. Truly. And we can't wait to read the book!

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    1. I know she's there on business, so I'm not going to take it personally that she's not here on MY big day.

      But, for the record, you're my favorite Trimble.

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  11. Well great, now you made me all misty-eyed at work. Like I'm not make-up challenged enough as it is.

    No seriously, I am so thrilled that Big Sky is now officially a manuscript and even more excited that I get to read the end! Seriously dear readers, I am not trying to gloat here, but just you wait! You are going to love this book! Trust me! Yay to the boys, by the way for their various awesomeness.

    Finally, what Lora said!

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    1. Dab gently so as not to smear the mascara!

      The family readers all congratulated me and then glared when I told them they can't read it until it's revised. Thank you for your understanding!

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  12. You are simply amazing. What lora said! You really do rock. I can't wait to read the book and congrats to all the boys on their various milestones, as well.

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    1. Thank you, and congratulations back! I'm so excited you're writing!

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  13. Congratulations. And you know what's really cool? The 'I can't believe I finished a book!' feeling never gets any less awesome, no matter how many of them you write.

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    1. The Captain and I were watching golf and talking about how crazy one has to be to play it for a living. I mean, why would you put yourself through all that anxiety, day in and day out, for the slim chance of winning?

      Then I realized I'm a writer, and it's a similar equation of insanity-to-payoff. But I wouldn't trade it.

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  14. The Captain25.6.12

    I am married to the most amazing woman in the world. I am the luckiest man alive. I am so proud of you Meg.

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    1. Thanks, dear. I wouldn't be here without you.

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  15. Anonymous25.6.12

    Greetings from Shanghai and may I add a hearty HELL YES!!!!

    I am so thrilled that the book is done, but for entirely selfish reasons. I'm taking this as a sign that I will get to finish reading it and I am thrilled. I have missed Sibby and Clay and I can't wait to see how things work out. I'm not ashamed to admit that my pride and pleasure at your insanely incredible accomplishment is overshadowed by my focus on my own needs as a reader!

    But this day is about you and not me. So let me also say that I am - as ever - in awe of what you do and who you are. Every. Single. Day. I am, like June, misty-eyed when I read about our darling One graduating from high school. He's grown beautifully. And perfect attendance from Three?! I can't believe how much he has matured. I'm impressed.

    You are my hero! (As is the Captain, of course!)

    Love,

    Janet

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    1. Congratulatory cables from far-flung locales? I really have made it!

      Thanks for talking me through the sexy bits. Wait, that doesn't sound right. You know what I mean.

      I can't wait to send you the whole story!

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  16. Congratulations! I am awestruck by your glowing brilliance. You deserve awards, cash prizes, vacation homes, and a life time's supply of toilet paper (I have children, I know what's a priority). You already have your Prince Charming, so I'll forego that part.

    Hug all those family members, kiss the boys, and enjoy your time off. Wave in a westerly direction, and I'll see you from here.

    Big love,
    under the
    Big Sky.

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    1. I stood and waved, from Wyoming and Montana. Next stop: Oregon! You're on my radar, baby.

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  17. Anonymous11.7.12

    Congratulations!!!!!!!
    Sorry to be so late, but Wow... You are amazing. Incredible. Awesome. You are the stuff heroines are made of.

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    1. BFB!!!! It's so good to hear from you, as you are quite amazing as well!

      (Truth be told, I AM the stuff my heroine(s) are made of, since they're mostly versions of me. Perhaps someday I will be clever enough to create them wholly from my imagination, but not yet. It's good to have goals!)

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  18. Yaaay! I'm so glad you finished! I'm in rewrite hell, too. Good luck with it! Can't wait to read it!

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