Here's a somewhat baffling event. I am nearing completion of my novel - and I'd say I really only have about a week's worth left to do on it and the first draft will be finished.
Then why am I having a terrible time forcing myself to write those last few pages? You'd think I'd be ecstatic to type The End and then dive right into the next project.
Maybe that's the problem. I don't yet know what my next project is. I've got several ideas swimming around in my brain, but haven't pinpointed one in particular as being The Next Novel.
Perhaps if I figured that out, I'd be ready to finish my current WIP. Or maybe it's because I feel overwhelmed with everything going on this month - moving out of this apartment is big on the list. But you'd think I'd want to finish the novel so I could have the satisfaction of having it done by the time I have to move. It could be that my brain feels I should be packing instead of writing, though... There's really no solution for it but to just buckle down and write. Even if I churn out drivel, I can fix drivel.
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I think that's pretty common, actually. I call it Fear of the Ending. I never want the book to end, but it has to. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI had the same problem. So I left the end hanging and had it all figured out in the revision process. And if this is only the first draft, sista, you've got some work ahead of you anyway on the current project---unless your method is to crank out the draft and put it aside for awhile. Stephen King does that.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, Melissa and yes you're completely right, it has to be on the page before it can be fixed!
ReplyDeleteI too find the same thing as I near the end of the ms. Almost as though I don't want to let go. Hopefully you'll move past it and just write through to the end!
ReplyDeleteIt's psychologically daunting to let go of the characters you've lived with for so long, but I think you're right, get fired up about what's next and you'll power through.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
The ending of the book always flies out for me like literary diarrhea. Gross description, but true. I can't stop till it's done. I'll sometimes do 30 pages in day when i'm at the end.
ReplyDeleteInstead of thinking about what next, think about how you'll have to do edits and rewrites. :)