Polishing Your Novel

I finished the first draft of my novel, so it's essentially a diamond in the rough.  As much as I'm dying to go back and read it from start to finish, to begin removing the raw edges, I've decided to shelve it for a week first so that, hopefully, I can look at it with a fresh perspective. I know without a doubt that it will need quite a bit of reworking from a story line perspective, not even thinking about proofreading, which is quite a task in and of itself.  
 
What will I do in the meantime?  Start outlining the plot of my next book, the second in the "War Gods Series." 

Completed First Draft of Novel

I did it. Today I typed the last words of my newest fantasy adventure novel.  At long last, my first draft is completed, and I'm celebrating!  After blogging this morning, I figured it was time to crack down and crank out the grand finale, and that's what I did--what a feeling of accomplishment!  Now, of course, I need to read the novel from start to finish and do a great deal of reworking.  I also need to come up with a title for this yet unnamed work. 

During the coming weeks, I'll be writing about my process of reworking a rough novel into a final piece, with focus on the proofreading. First though, I'm going to take advice I read from some author somewhere and let the novel sit for a week or two so I can look at it with fresh eyes as I read it from start to finish.  Good night.

Writing the Ending of a Novel

I've written over 200 pages, so why is it so hard to write the ending?  Why do I keep putting it off?  These are the questions I find I've been asking myself a lot lately.  As a general rule, despite the chaos in my life, a house full of kids (I have 6) and my numerous interests (which don't include a warm fuzzy feeling when I've cleaned my house), I've generally been pretty good about writing three pages a day on my novels.  Well, that is until recently.

So, what happened?  I've always been a firm believer in "slow and steady wins the race."  Why the change now?  I think it's because I'm close to the end of my novel, or at least the end of the first draft.  I know I'm not alone in this.  I've talked to others with the same problem.  Is it that after investing so many hours in crafting a riveting story line, we can't figure out how to end it?   I don't think so.  At least, that's not the case for me.  I know what is supposed to happen, but conveying that to the reader is another matter.  I think it's more a matter, almost, of saying goodbye to an old friend.

Writing is an escape.  I travel to far off places, eat exotic food, and meet exciting people when I write, despite the fact that I'm still in my den with one or more sick kids.  My characters keep me company.  Maybe ending a book is a little like saying goodbye to an old friend.  Of course, that doesn't mean I can't have new adventures with my characters in other books.  I even plan to, but still, up a novel, is not only exciting, but a little sad.  Maybe that's part of why I have trouble with the end.

Of course, there's also the perfectionist in me that comes into play.  I've spent so long developing characters and plot that I want that I want the finish to be perfect.  This is probably the biggest factor contributing to my procrastination of ending my novel.  I think though, that it's time I take a leap, write an ending, and I can always fix it after I finish it.  

 

Time to go now and finish that novel--later!

Thanks Readers

Thank you everyone who downloaded my books last week, whether it was my young adult novel, "Destined Love is Immortal," or my children's picture book about stranger safety, "Dragon at the Cabin," your support is greatly appreciated.  If you enjoyed them, please take time to "like" them on their page at Amazon, tag them, and/or write a review.

 

Above all, if you enjoy my writing, please tell a friend!  I love to write, and I do so hoping that you will enjoy reading what I've written as much as I had fun putting it down on the page.

Thanks!

Teach your kids that what looks fun might be dangerous.  My kids' rhyming picture book about stranger safety, "Dragon at the Cabin," is FREE today & tomorrow.  Get your copy now! 

Paranormal Romance Book for Teens FREE 11/12/12 & 11/13/12

Today & tomorrow you can get a FREE copy of the young adult paranormal romance book, "Destined Love is Immortal," from Amazon.  It can be downloaded to not only a Kindle, but also your PC and many phones.

One reader writes:
"Fantasy isn't what I usually read, but Ms. Williams has crafted a book that held my attention, so much so that I read it in one sitting. In many ways Shawna is a typical teenager, insecure about her appearance and highly sensitive to peer pressure, but so unlike a typical teenager when it came time to be truly brave. While the relationship she encounters in Belgium seems incongruous, Ms. Williams is able to show that huge gaps can be narrowed when genuine caring helps both characters to rise above their own viewpoints and have compassion for what the other is feeling and experiencing. There are lots of exciting fight scenes, and the description of places Shawna visits make you feel you're right there. The reader gets a travelogue coupled with adventure. What could be better?"