So You Think You’ve Finished?
That elusive ending…
I was sat in front of my PC a couple of days ago thinking, so what shall I write about in this my second Blog post? What pearls of wisdom shall I share? As usual when you have these thoughts, nothing comes to mind. Not really a surprise! Then, miracle of miracles, the clouds parted and blew away the cobwebs.
For about a week, I’ve been trying to write the ending of my second book, but I just couldn’t get that last paragraph right. No matter what was put down, it never looked or sounded ‘it’. Of course, what’s down now I’m not 100% happy with and I doubt if when I finally decide that I can’t make it any better that I will be either. But, it does mean that it’s finished. Approximately 6 – 7 months of toil. Okay, I did enjoy writing this much more than my first, but perhaps that’s because I actually like my lead character this time. Don’t ask me why I didn’t like her in the first, it just ended up that way and I’d rather not dwell on it.
So, it’s finished. Is it? Of course not, the hard work has only just begun. I believe there are those talented individuals out there who can turn out a finished novel in one draft, but these would be a little like rocking-horse doo-doo – rare. Now, it’s time to tear the first draft apart. Being a novice at all this, I’m still finding the best way to start and for me, that’s going to be sitting down for a marathon reading session with a clean notepad, a pen that won’t smudge and a huge glass of Dandelion and Burdock to hand. I know for a fact that the colours of everyone’s eyes are different from chapter to chapter and the notes I made as I wrote it will only help me so far. Continuity! So guess what I’ll be doing at the weekend.
But first, I’m going to obey that unwritten (ironic choice of words) rule and step away for a few days. Let my mind freshen up. Oh, after I’ve sent the last two chapters to my wonderful readers, thank you guys. Back to the ‘freshen up’ part – fortunately, I have a wonderful way to relax. My good friend Bella – she of ‘Bella’s Scribbles’ found here on Novel Kicks – has sent me the next 5 chapters to read of the book she’s currently writing, so I’ve got an excellent excuse to break out an emergency stash of scones and strawberry jam my good wife doesn’t know I have and settle back for a good read.
I’ll leave you with my thought of the day – don’t you wish you could enter the BBC Radio 2 500 word story competition? Wouldn’t it be fun! Now, where did I leave my Tardis?
Every fortnight, Mick will be chatting about his experience as a male author in the romantic genre. Mick is a forty-something member of the Romantic Novelists Association, New Writers Scheme. He lives in Northamptonshire and is the proud keeper of a cat bent on world domination.When he’s not trying to write books, Mick has a deep-seated love of reading that he’s brought from his teens to the current day with no signs of waning. He’s also mad on the music of the Beach Boys and enjoys the theatre and humouring his Manchester United supporting wife. Mick can be followed on Twitter
by 
I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.
2 Responses to So You Think You’ve Finished?
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I’m almost at the same stage as you, I need to edit it. Although, I’ve not completed the ending and have a few bits in the middle missing, but I think I need to do them as I go along draft 2 – or I’ll just put editing off for another year! Here’s to a good second draft!
Yes, I agree, endings are difficult and sometimes it’s not just that last elusive paragraph! Last August I had almost reached the end of my WIP and in my mind’s eye I could see that final scene quite clearly. However it was the short journey which linked the main manuscript to the last scene which was proving hard to pin down. No matter how I wrote that connecting piece it did not seem to work. Hating to leave my manuscript in limbo while I went away on holiday I concentrated very hard on those few essential scenes, only to give up before I lost the will to live! The first week in September arrived and packing my case I took my flight to Italy, spending a fabulous week on Lake Garda. Time away from the manuscript gave me space and freedom to think far more rationally than at home. To take in the sights and sounds of the towns on the lake and the atmosphere. When I returned I had my solution – that elusive piece of the jigsaw joining the main body of the story to that final scene could be played out on the lakes in the beautiful town of Bardolino – a fabulous backdrop and one which set well with the rest of the book. I wrote it and voila! everything else fell into place. So you see it’s not only the last paragraph which can prove difficult! I guess I should have known by now that any problems you hit during your writing journey have a habit of sorting themselves out, the golden rule is you simply cannot rush them. So if you do get stuck you need to hang on in there because the solution will eventually come and sometimes in a most unexpected way!!