Finish it!
It took a little while for it to sink in, but I feel quite different now that I have a completed manuscript verses the pile of partially finished novels from before. It may not be “The One” to get published, although it would be amazing if my very first completed manuscript is, but it was worth writing to me just to go through the entire experience. Just to say, “Yes, I’ve written a book.” It does make a difference. I feel I’m a different writer now that I’ve accomplished this task.
I’ve been in the trenches of editing, querying and synopsis writing so I haven’t gotten started on the next one yet. But I’m ready to do that now. And you know what? It’ll be better just because I’ve already finished a novel. Why? I’ll enumerate the reasons.
1. I now know the process that works and what doesn’t. Everyone has a different method when it comes to plotting, developing and actual writing, and reading about everyone else’s writing strategy is fine and dandy. But how am I going to know what works for me until I’ve been through the entire process myself? I made some mistakes with this past novel. And I did some things right. It was an extremely important learning experience, and now I know what I need to keep and change for the next one.
2. Self-esteem boost. Major self-esteem boost. I’ve completed a novel. I did it! Now I can no longer wonder if I’ll ever finish something because now I have. And for awhile, I wondered if I could ever get that far. I know I can now, and I truly believe that will make the next one less of a struggle for me. I know where my hangups are, and I know it isn’t as bad as I think it is when I’m writing it. When I read back over this novel for edits, I was surprised at how much better it was than I originally thought. I know I’ll still have hangups and moments of low self-esteem, but at least I’ll know in the back of my mind that I can get past it. Cause hey, I’ve completed a novel!
3. My writing has improved. Practice, practice, practice. I’ve learned a lot about writing. Showing verses telling. Especially during the editing phase and getting rid of those pesky dialogue adverbs. More writing has led to improved writing. It’s like anything else. It takes practice.
4. Learning more about the business. I’ve learned a whole lot more about agents, publishing, querying, editing, etc. I didn’t know a lot of this before finishing this novel because I hadn’t gotten to the point where I needed to research it yet. But now that I have a finished product I want to get published, I’ve spent hours scouring resources so I can learn everything I can. I’m a researching maniac. And that’s a good thing until it starts eating up my writing time. 
5. One step closer to my dream. I have several writing related dreams. One was to finish a novel. I’ve done that. It’s an amazing feeling. Next, find an agent. Then, become a published author. And now that I’ve finished something, I’m just that much closer to that dream. Maybe not this novel, but the next one. Or the next one. Or the next one….or the next one. I’ll keep trying until that happens.
And you know what that means? Off I go to write the next one!
The Perfect Writing Space| To Prologue or Not to Prologue » »
Comments
It’s an amazing feeling, isn’t it? Great post, I felt all the same things when I finished my first, too. Congratulations!
And since you’re into the research, I highly recommend a book by Pat Walsh called (get ready) “78 Reasons Why Your Book May Never Be Published and 14 Reasons Why It Just Might.” Short, funny (snarky) chapters, easy read, but it has everything an aspiring writer SHOULD now about the industry and about getting published. Good stuff.
Leave a Comment