Books that were never finished department: I read a bestseller a long time ago that was great right up until one chapter before the end. The final chapter appeared to be written by someone else, and all of the tension in the mystery was never resolved, it was all left hanging. I decided the author had secretly died and a committee had finished it. I even re-read it to see if it was just me (it wasn't just me). Very frustrating, but a good illustration of the point that you don't need a good ending to sell a book, if the opening grabs readers. (So it seems, but I've never sold a book, so what do I know?)
I’ve read many books that dazzle at the beginning and flounder near the end, which is why I think they’re books that had been in the making for years and the writer just finally wanted to get it over with. Always a disappointment, but if I enjoyed most of it it’s not a total loss. 😏
Finish the book, Ramona. Don’t hone each chapter, don’t burnish the paragraphs, just finish the book. It’s easier to go back later than to spend sleepless nights trying to get just the right ending to that crucial scene.
Some of my best writing comes from dreams too, or that dreamlike state. We are lucky that we don't have to wait to publish our books, but can do it on our own. More and more writers are taking control of their writing and getting it into the hands of readers who would love to read their books. Yours sounds like something I would love reading. I hope you take that plunge past the gatekeepers into the warm waters of indie publishing.
Thanks, Deborah, I’m working on it right now. We’ll see how disciplined I can be in order to get it done. I don’t know why I even hesitate. It’s something I really want to do!
I know that hesitation! I felt that way about my novel When Things Go Missing too. But now I'm so glad I pushed past that and got it out there into the hands of readers who say they love it as much as I do. That's what it's all about. Your novel deserves that too.
I think the dream is your subconscious's way of saying, "You've got this." It certainly seems to symbolize themes of confidence and completion. For what that's worth.
If only I could figure out how to make them come true! As for the pic, I must have thought I was pretty hot stuff. I don't remember having that much confidence!
Books that were never finished department: I read a bestseller a long time ago that was great right up until one chapter before the end. The final chapter appeared to be written by someone else, and all of the tension in the mystery was never resolved, it was all left hanging. I decided the author had secretly died and a committee had finished it. I even re-read it to see if it was just me (it wasn't just me). Very frustrating, but a good illustration of the point that you don't need a good ending to sell a book, if the opening grabs readers. (So it seems, but I've never sold a book, so what do I know?)
I’ve read many books that dazzle at the beginning and flounder near the end, which is why I think they’re books that had been in the making for years and the writer just finally wanted to get it over with. Always a disappointment, but if I enjoyed most of it it’s not a total loss. 😏
Finish the book, Ramona. Don’t hone each chapter, don’t burnish the paragraphs, just finish the book. It’s easier to go back later than to spend sleepless nights trying to get just the right ending to that crucial scene.
Then start the next one.
But finish the first one!
Working on it, Jack. Thanks! ❤️
Some of my best writing comes from dreams too, or that dreamlike state. We are lucky that we don't have to wait to publish our books, but can do it on our own. More and more writers are taking control of their writing and getting it into the hands of readers who would love to read their books. Yours sounds like something I would love reading. I hope you take that plunge past the gatekeepers into the warm waters of indie publishing.
Thanks, Deborah, I’m working on it right now. We’ll see how disciplined I can be in order to get it done. I don’t know why I even hesitate. It’s something I really want to do!
I know that hesitation! I felt that way about my novel When Things Go Missing too. But now I'm so glad I pushed past that and got it out there into the hands of readers who say they love it as much as I do. That's what it's all about. Your novel deserves that too.
That picture of you is outstanding, Mona!
I think the dream is your subconscious's way of saying, "You've got this." It certainly seems to symbolize themes of confidence and completion. For what that's worth.
If only I could figure out how to make them come true! As for the pic, I must have thought I was pretty hot stuff. I don't remember having that much confidence!