Natascha - there is no rule that it HAS to be done in 50K words. That's just what it takes to 'win'. And you've done great given everything else!!!! Go you!
A discussion in IRC just now seems to indicate that once you get past Harlequin/Mills and Boon etc., books tend to be much longer anyway [which is a bit depressing as mine finished up at about 51.5K - while I'm sure it's going to be a bit longer once I'm done and do a better job describing things [like a skirt and nice sweater needs a bit more
], but it' still not going to be LONG. But the story is done. To try to stretch it out would destroy it I think. IF something comes to me in the editing process, great. If not, oh well.
I did get the prologue and first chapter of the sequel finished tonight. My DD8 is up to 1462 of 2000
.
Ugh - am feeling like blech so am going to bed...
