Archive for the 'Wannabe Writers' category

Wannabe Writers #2: How to Write the Perfect Ending

Jun 07 2010 Published by under Wannabe Writers, Writer's Life

Wannabe Writers is a writing group for the un-published and anyone is welcome to join. It’s a place where future authors can ask questions, share stories, and get feedback. Click (here) to find more about how it works.

Yesterday I finished my second novel. I am thrilled about this, of course. However, I am now struggling with two major elements of a story. An engaging beginning and how to write the perfect ending. These will be two key elements that I will focus on when I am at the editing stage for this book. Honestly, I am very happy with how the book ends in general. I would like to tweak the last couple of sentences a bit.

Had I stayed on track with this series perhaps I would have gotten a few answers BEFORE I wrote the ending. Since I didn’t, I guess that’s what editing is for. :-)

Where I am in the writing process: A yet-to-be published writer that just completed my second manuscript.

My question(s) this week: What are the essential elements of a perfect ending to a novel?

RaleighRoxStar Signature

Explore. Challenge. Write.

4 responses so far

Wannabe Writers #1: How to Stay Motivated

May 09 2010 Published by under The Writing Life, Wannabe Writers

Wannabe Writers is a meme for unpublished writers by Confessions of the Unpublished.

Where I am in the writing process: I participated in NaNoWriMo three times: never finished, always gave up. Finally in October 2009 I completed one of my NaNo started novels – my first completed novel in 20 years. I am now trying to finish a second NaNo started WIP. When I am finished with this one I will go back and polish up the first and the next step on the road to becoming a published author.

My current problem: After a few weeks of writing an average of 1,000 words a day I fell off the wagon. I’ve let life and work and laziness get in the way.  Life has thrown me a few curve balls and I’ve been busy over at All Things Girl and with the final details of my girlfriends getaway to Santa Fe, NM in less than two weeks. Yet, despite how crazy everything else has been the past two weeks it isn’t the real reason my writing has come to a halt. My issue has to do with where I am in my current WIP (work in progress) – at a spot where things are a little tough.

I have a history of doing this: retreating from my WIP when things get a little sticky. A 3 or 4 day retreat quickly turned to months, and in some cases years. This week I want to get back on track and get my WIP finished. In the past I was a pantser. Now I try to outline my story, which helps tremendously. However, there are times when the characters seem to take over and lead me down another path. I’m typically pleased with the result when that happens. But, inevitably I end up in this place. I know where I want to go next, but I’m just not sure how I’m going to get there. Suddenly watching TV or reading someone else’s novel seems more appealing.

I need to get back on the wagon and begin writing again. I want to finish this novel by the end of June.

My question this week: How do you stay motivated to write when you’re not exactly sure how to get your character from Point A to Point B in your story?

RaleighRoxStar Signature

Explore. Challenge. Write.

3 responses so far