It's the first Wednesday of the month and time for a post from all the folks in the Insecure Writers Support Group. (IWSG)
What is IWSG? Founder of IWSG and author Alex J Cavanaugh explains the group's purpose is
"to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!"
After visiting here, please take time to hop over to other blogs and hear their voices. You can find the list of participants at Alex's IWSG page.
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| Image courtesy of digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net |
Coming to the End of the Story by J.Q. Rose
I have been writing a story for almost a year now, off and on. I remember the excitement of scribbling out the basic outline of the plot in my notebook. With determination and optimism I began writing the first chapter. When finished, my heart soared to finally have a tangible chapter to save to my new folder. The ideas that had been washing through my brain for months had taken shape into sentences and paragraphs. I was thrilled with the first foray into my new story.
Now in May 2014 I am closing in on the final chapters. My characters and I have gone through a lot together. They have transformed from my first imaginings of them. Some even have different names than they had in the first chapter. Roger is now Emmett, Jessica is now Lauren. And so on, and so on.
I feel that I am at a precipice and not quite ready to jump off into the ending of the story. I hate to finish it, tie up all the loose ends, and be done with it. It's been such a growing experience for me.
I realize I have much to do with re-writing this first draft, but let me just take a minute to appreciate all the thoughts and work that has gone on these months. I want to savor it awhile, before I end it.
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How about you? Do you hate to bring the curtain down on your story or are you relieved when you finally write THE END? Leave a comment and let us know. Thanks for stopping by today.
17 comments:
Aloha :)
I remember *thinking* I was finished when I completed the first draft (I also knew about the rewrites:)
Now, I know that first "ending" was only the beginning, so you should definitely stop to smell the roses when you finish the last paragraph :)
Then, once you're ready, roll up those literary sleeves and jump back in :)
GOOD LUCK :)
The ending can be an awkward moment, but in some ways, it's only when you get it written that you get the biggest emotional payoff.
I'm not in your group, but I'll leave a comment, anyway! I'm always happy when I write that final word, and even happier when it is the final word in the final draft. The Freedom Thief took me 5 years to write, and rewrite,and was nothing like the first draft when it was published. Cheers,Chocolate, and Other Disasters took almost 3 years from 1st word to publication. I enjoy the changes my characters and I go through in writing, because both my characters and I grow in many ways. I just have to get used to them ( characters) telling me what to do! Good luck with the revisions.
The ending is always bittersweet. At least through editing, you'll get to relive it again.
I am so very grateful that I read this today! I am contemplating changing names in my WIP. I am truly torn. I've been writing this book for two years and am really attached to the names but, they are just names. I think it would help separate the characters a bit to make them distinct. Some of them sound a bit the same. Thanks for writing this!!! :)
Elsie
co-host IWSG
Mark, thank you. Indeed I plan to stop and smell the roses. Like the idea of rolling up my literary sleeves.
Stu--Yes, there is a huge feeling of satisfaction when you add the last period to the last sentence. Even knowing the revisions are just beginning!
Thank you, Mikki. Really appreciate you stopping by. Not sure what you mean by being in my group, but glad you are visiting. (We are with the same publisher though.)
Hi Diane, bittersweet is a great way to describe it. Looking for you to let you know I granted you the Liebster award to honor you and your work on your blog. Check it out on my May 5 post. Thanks for stopping.
Hi Elsie, That's exactly why I changed from Roger to Emmett. One of the character's names is Randy. My crit group said the names were too similar. It's easy to change the names if you use the Find feature in MS Word. Are you familiar with that? If not, let me know and I can help you find Find!! Have fun hosting!
Congrats on (almost) reaching the end! Savoring it is a great idea.
I think I felt relief when I reached the end of my novel. It was such a powerful and overwhelming sensation of actually completing something. And then there's the editing... >_< At least in editing, you can remember the parts you loved so much!
I enjoy the process, but I'm glad when I finally reach the end. There's nothing like doing a complete read-through once it's finished and all polished up. ;)
Of course, umpteen editing passes and re-reading three different versions for the formatter eventually ruin that, too. Well, almost. LOL
Thanks for visiting my blog. :)
IWSG #224 until Alex culls the list again.
Part of me is relieved because it means I can start revising and editing. Part of me feels sad because I know I have to say goodbye to the characters soon. Don't like that part.
I'm relieved to reach the end of a first draft! Not my favorite part of the process - I like editing better.
When the ending is close I wonder if I've done the story justice or if I've gone too far. I want the reader to have satisfaction, and smile on their face. I never know until the beta readers tell me if I've done it or not.
Follow your instincts and remember there is always another story to be written. :-)
Anna from Shout with Emaginette
Joylene and Alex--I like editing too to make the story tighter. I slash words and sentences and whole paragraphs with glee!!
Emaginette-love your advice on following my instincts and there's always another story to be written. Thanks for stopping by.
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