Almost there…

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I’ve officially entered ‘I’m almost done with the book’ syndrome. My husband named this syndrome about a year ago. It was one night when I forgot to make dinner, never got out of my pajamas, and had easily a hundred sheets of marked up paper on my office floor.  I was apologizing, saying I didn’t know what was wrong with me-when he held up a hand with a little knowing grin.

“Shelley, you get this way with every single book,” he said.  “You’re about a week away from turning it in, right?”

Gulp.

Actually, I was. For better or worse, I seem to have developed a pattern as I near the end of a book. Slowly but surely, it begins to be all I think about. I stop leaving the house because I don’t want to deal with ‘real’ people. I discuss the characters in my book during every meal. Cooking becomes a non-issue. Soon, I stop answering the phone, too.

Of course, that’s actually a good thing. Yesterday, when a girlfriend called to RSVP for a dinner we’re hosting, it took me a good thirty seconds to figure out what she was talking about. There’s no dinner party in my book, you see.

Within the next week, I’ll email the book off, pick up my office, and eagerly unite with the real world. Finally, I’ll keep a hair appointment. I’ll run errands, walk the dogs, and return phone calls. I’ll cook again.  Who knows-I might even do laundry!

Am I alone? Anyone else ever get  end of the book syndrome? Or, for you non-writers, is there a time in your life when things just don’t get done? Beginning of the school year? Summer? Tax time?  

In honor of still communicating through e-mail, I’m running a little contest. Leave me a comment before Thanksgiving. I’ll have my long suffering husband draw a name…and if you’re a winner, I’ll send you one of my Sisters of the Heart books (your choice), and a  $10 Starbucks gift card.  Perhaps a new book and a latte might be just the thing to kick off your Christmas season.

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