Almost Closing Time
March 29th 2010 12:06
NanoEdmo, and the month of March, is almost over. With any luck, and minimal interference, you should be finishing off your second draft, almost ready to write 'the end' once again. During these final days, you're going to be concerned with how your novel will end, reaching an ending that will give both you and your readers satisfaction.
If you're writing a stand alone book, read through your rewritten chapters and make sure there aren't any plot threads that have been dropped. If there are, pick them up again and finish them off. Write a satisfying end to the story you've been writing, but don't end your book on a static note. Just because the evil overlord has been defeated or the two characters have been married doesn't mean that your world and your characters won't face future challenges. It's not 'happily ever after'. Your characters are living, breathing people and they will continue to be so after the book is done.
If you're working on a book that's part of a series (and not the last book) then remember to tie up the book's individual plot and leave the main plot at a point where you-and the readers-are willing to wait to find out what happens next. If your characters are on an epic journey, then end with them in a fairly safe place, perhaps sleeping their last night in safety before they continue on their way. Or end them having just overcome a major challenge and preparing for the one ahead. There are many ways to end it, but you want two things-story satisfaction, and a curiosity about what happens next.
And if, like me, you're still deeply entrenched in the middle of your second draft, don't worry too much about it. Life probably got in the way with various distractions-sick friends or family (or sick you), extra things to be done at work, big projects at school-and you shouldn't beat yourself up for attending to those things before your novel. For most of you, this isn't your job; you're only accountable to yourself, and beating yourself up does more harm than good.
For those of you who have finished editing your novel or are very close to the end-congratulations. You've come a long way from the messy first draft to the mostly mess-free second draft. Once your job is done, give yourself a reward, a fancy dinner, a sweet dessert, a walk through the park, a hot bath: whatever makes you smile.
For those of you who are in the middle with me-just change the date. I plan on having my second draft, and some minor edits to the first couple of chapters of that second draft, done by the end of April. Come with me on my journey to reach the end of our books. This 'workshop' is over and the posts about editing will be less frequent, but I will be regularly updating and if I find any more cool links, I'll send them your way.
No matter where you are in your book or on the planet, no matter who you are, I'd just like to say thank you for reading this blog. I hope that you'll stay with me throughout my journey as a writer and throughout your own.
If you're writing a stand alone book, read through your rewritten chapters and make sure there aren't any plot threads that have been dropped. If there are, pick them up again and finish them off. Write a satisfying end to the story you've been writing, but don't end your book on a static note. Just because the evil overlord has been defeated or the two characters have been married doesn't mean that your world and your characters won't face future challenges. It's not 'happily ever after'. Your characters are living, breathing people and they will continue to be so after the book is done.
If you're working on a book that's part of a series (and not the last book) then remember to tie up the book's individual plot and leave the main plot at a point where you-and the readers-are willing to wait to find out what happens next. If your characters are on an epic journey, then end with them in a fairly safe place, perhaps sleeping their last night in safety before they continue on their way. Or end them having just overcome a major challenge and preparing for the one ahead. There are many ways to end it, but you want two things-story satisfaction, and a curiosity about what happens next.
And if, like me, you're still deeply entrenched in the middle of your second draft, don't worry too much about it. Life probably got in the way with various distractions-sick friends or family (or sick you), extra things to be done at work, big projects at school-and you shouldn't beat yourself up for attending to those things before your novel. For most of you, this isn't your job; you're only accountable to yourself, and beating yourself up does more harm than good.
For those of you who have finished editing your novel or are very close to the end-congratulations. You've come a long way from the messy first draft to the mostly mess-free second draft. Once your job is done, give yourself a reward, a fancy dinner, a sweet dessert, a walk through the park, a hot bath: whatever makes you smile.
For those of you who are in the middle with me-just change the date. I plan on having my second draft, and some minor edits to the first couple of chapters of that second draft, done by the end of April. Come with me on my journey to reach the end of our books. This 'workshop' is over and the posts about editing will be less frequent, but I will be regularly updating and if I find any more cool links, I'll send them your way.
No matter where you are in your book or on the planet, no matter who you are, I'd just like to say thank you for reading this blog. I hope that you'll stay with me throughout my journey as a writer and throughout your own.
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