Yesterday I finished revising String Bridge. I can't believe it! Over the weekend I was totally possessed. I completed ten days worth of scheduled revisions in two. It was crazy, I tell you! My brain was working in overdrive for some strange reason, and my fingers were struggling to keep up. But they did. And I didn't even have a meltdown when I finished. But this is not what today's post is about, it's about what happened to me afterward.
I ran a bath. With bubbles. A little too hot, but not scolding hot. I sat in it with Marilynne Robinson's latest novel, HOME. I got in. Winced. Made sure I didn't wet the hand I intended to hold the book with. All good. Ahh ... relax. And then suddenly ...
... the constant, ongoing noise in my head , which I had become accustomed to and thought was normal, stopped.
I swear I could hear dead skin cells dislodge themselves into the bath water. Yeah, I know, that's a disgusting thought, but I tell you, I could finally hear what was going on around me: the crackling of the bubble bath; the swipe of my fingertip across two millimetres of paper; the sound of a bird tweeting, probably 20 meters down the road, soared through my window like a train whistle; my significant other's mouse clicking through two closed doors. I could hear the vibrations of silence.
I took a deep breath and leaned my head against the white tiled bathroom wall and let myself sink into this amazing feeling as if a bed of velvet. For the first time, in a LONG time, I relaxed.
And then ... I dropped my book in the bath.
How do you feel after completing a big project? Does the noise in your head stop, even if just for a few minutes?
... the constant, ongoing noise in my head , which I had become accustomed to and thought was normal, stopped.
I swear I could hear dead skin cells dislodge themselves into the bath water. Yeah, I know, that's a disgusting thought, but I tell you, I could finally hear what was going on around me: the crackling of the bubble bath; the swipe of my fingertip across two millimetres of paper; the sound of a bird tweeting, probably 20 meters down the road, soared through my window like a train whistle; my significant other's mouse clicking through two closed doors. I could hear the vibrations of silence.
I took a deep breath and leaned my head against the white tiled bathroom wall and let myself sink into this amazing feeling as if a bed of velvet. For the first time, in a LONG time, I relaxed.
And then ... I dropped my book in the bath.
How do you feel after completing a big project? Does the noise in your head stop, even if just for a few minutes?
Sorry about your wet book! Thanks for your comment on my blog. As to your question about whether I read anything besides fantasy, the smart-a** in me would say 'why would anyone wish to read something besides fantasy?' but in reality I do read other genres. I've seen you on Goodreads, so check out my list!
ReplyDeleteYay you! That bath was very well deserved - and it sounds like you needed it! (Okay, that just made it sound like I think you looked/smelled/was dirty - which I don't, I was referring to the stress... And now I only made it worse... Ack!)
ReplyDeleteAnyway - congrats with finishing the review marathon (sprint?), and yay for the Sound of Silence :)
Happy Valentine's Day!
I remember bubble baths before kids barged in to see if you needed more Barbie dolls with you, only to grow up and barge in to ask you to make them a sandwich, only to grow a little more and barge in to tell what totally unfair thing their sibling just said. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Oh, no about the book! :)
ReplyDeleteI used to be the Queen of Baths--until I had children. But, oh man, when I used to come home from work, I could totally relax and shut the world out.
Congrats on your revisions too! You were working it, girl!
That's wonderful you finished revisions! That deserves a long soak in the tub. I hope you were able to save the book! and that is a benefit to reading a print book!
ReplyDeleteThank goodness it wasn't and electronic gadget!
ReplyDeleteSo thrilled you can now relax. x
Spike Milligan used to end some of his sketches by leaving the camera on the characters who would start to mumble “What are we gonna do now? What are we gonna do now?” and shuffle off-camera. I feel like that. I don’t quite know what to do with myself but I can’t switch off. The thought of jumping into a new project is unthinkable. Actually the thought of writing another word is unthinkable. Since that work has in effect defined me for such a long time I’m not sure what to do with myself. I suppose it’s like a person getting divorced after many years of marriage and not knowing how to define themselves now they’re no longer a husband or a wife.
ReplyDeletehahaha. I knew the book drop was coming. Exactly why I no longer try to read in the bath. We should get one of those tub bridge/shelf thingies you see on TV.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finishing the revisions!
Bahahaha! And then... I dropped my book. Sounds so much like me!!
ReplyDeleteJust reading this post had me longing for that feeling. Looking at the picture I felt myself tucked away in a world where thoughts were left behind. I'd love to be there now. The relief that sits in after hearing back from the publisher, writing the book, etc. It just feels amazing. It's something you're desperate to hold on to.
If only I could steal yours for the afternoon. :)
Congratulations on finishing! Sorry about your soggy book though.
ReplyDeleteLOL, so was the vibrating the little skin cells all swimming for the edge at the same time? :)
ReplyDeleteJules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
I love those moments, even if they don't happen very often or last very long. But it is so nice to finish a project, and feel your shoulders lighten. It's nice that you can relax, even just for one evening, once you've finished a big project like that.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on completing your revisions! You deserve a bit of relaxation! :)
Congratulations on finishing your MS, Jess! Ahhhh, that sounds so relaxing indeed! You deserve it. Sorry about the wet book. xoxo
ReplyDeleteLOL! Glad you experienced a few moments of relaxation before you dropped your book.
ReplyDeleteHmm. This could be a situation where an eReader in a ziplock bag could come in handy.
Oh no! Not the book! I can just see the sudden flurry of bubbles and splashing.
ReplyDeleteAnd after finishing something, yes, my mind relaxes and I can sleep at night without scenes and ideas and characters yakking at me.
Congratulations Jess, that sounds amazing. You've certainly earned it. I kind of wish I was that driven. Kind of.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on completing your revision in record time!
ReplyDeleteAs for me, the noise in my head only stops when there's noise outside my head to sing along to. And sometimes, not even then.
ugh. dropping the book in the bathtub is the worst! And it gets all waterlogged and fat and sad
ReplyDeleteCongrats!!! Yay! Whenever I finish something like that, the noise does NOT stop. In fact, I sort of miss being so busy.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finishing your revisions! *Happy Dance* So sorry about the book. Yikes!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your quiet time...:)
How glorious to finish a project and relax in a bath. Too bad about your book, though. I always worry about dropping my e-reader in the tub!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on finishing!! Hazzah!! Sorry about the wet book, but that was a sort of hilarious, abrupt end to a story!
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, as the end of one project nears, the voices start yelling at me. I think they know. They somehow have it figured out that I could be working on their project next and jump. I have to ignore them or I would never finish any projects.
ReplyDeleteAt project's end I feel a sense of relief and give myself permission to take a holiday.
ReplyDeleteWow, you were way more productive than me...it's so nice to relax after finishing a manuscript or edit. You get that added, "I've just accomplished something" feeling.
ReplyDeletedemitrialunetta.blogspot.com
When i finish a biggie I always think it's going to feel great, but life usually just fills up with something else. Regardless, congrats on getting done.
ReplyDeleteahh... relaxed! Whoops! spoiled your book! :D and OK, am I the only dirty mind that read that post title and said "wha--!" :D So nice to be done and relax--here's to you! Happy V'day~ <3
ReplyDeleteYes, but only for a few minutes and then I don't know what to do with myself!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your silence for as long as it'll let you.
I love bubble baths. Isn't there some tray or something you can buy that allows you to take a bath without getting your book wet? I'd like to find it, let me tell you.
ReplyDeleteThe good news is it wasn't an e-reader. LOL Congrats on finishing up your edits and best of luck!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finishing your revisions!
ReplyDeleteI haven't had a bubble bath in years!!! But my neck is kinda sore today.....It's something to think about doing.
I am SO proud of you for finishing your book, and I have printed off the pages so that I can read it tonight. What better way to spend Valentine's Day than with one of my loves :-)
ReplyDeleteYou deserve to relax, honey. So, so, SO proud of you. xoxo
Don't tell me you forgot the glass of wine? You couldn't POSSIBLY have forgotten that after that amazing feat!
ReplyDeleteI've definitely had that sensation though--going completely franticly for a good long while, then suddenly it's OVER.
Congratulations to you! (celebrate for a bit (and by bit, you can yse the Aussie meaning if you like), but don't wait too long to get back to something else)
hi miss jessica! wow im just real happy you got all that revising done. hooray for you! im real glad you got to get relaxing some. maybe for next time you could do a audio book so then you got nothing that could get dropped in the suds.
ReplyDelete...hugs from lenny
I shook, after my big project. I submitted, 6 pieces of art and then I breathed. It took me awhile to feel the joy. It was a tough battle to finish this, sickness, surprise company, all kinds of random opportunities to throw me off course, but I fought and finished.
ReplyDeleteI love the velvet you described; Congrats! I then went out and celebrated with my favorite cup of coffee and an art date.
Happy Valentine's Day~
Ah, it is such a wonderful feeling everything fresh and new. Sorry about your book.
ReplyDeleteAh, you dropped your book! But I'll bet it was well worth it. Good for you for relaxing. Well deserved.
ReplyDeleteWhen I finish a project, it takes me a long, long time to wind down. But when I finally do, yes, it's like living in a whole different world.
*LOL* Your poor book! And dead skin cells in your bath water! You like to gross people out don't you? And between you and me, I do agree that Hershey's Kisses do look like tiny poo mounds. :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finishing your revisions--and early! I totally get what you are talking about! So glad you finally had some silence and relaxation. Too bad about the book, though. Christy
ReplyDeleteSo so so proud of you. Even happier to hear that you were able to relax! Hurray!
ReplyDeleteI have the same experience when I finish a large project - peace and calm.
I'm a firm believer in the healing powers of the bubble bath. Enjoy your well-deserved respite.
ReplyDeletePearl
The voices in my head never really stop but they get much happier after I finish something I'm proud of.
ReplyDeleteThis was starting to sound like a Simon and Garfunkel song. Was the book a dirty book?
ReplyDeleteLee
Tossing It Out and the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2011
Congrats on finishing! SO SWEET! And so fast! I need to do that with my current revisions. Sigh. But that sucks about your book. :(
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