Thought this was a useful topic for the first of the year.

First and foremost, Happy New Year to all!

I'm beginning the year by finishing a book.  I'm so close to the ending, I should be in the manuscript writing instead of here journaling.  Ah well, if I had kept to that credo, the book would be finished by now.

For me, endings are always nerve-racking to write.  It's the point in the story when all the threads have got to seamlessly meet.   Even in first draft, which is what this is, writing the ending makes me hesitate and ask useless questions.

• Does this cover all pertinent points?
• Have I built in enough surprises?
• Is there believable suspense?
• Will it be touching?
• Is this the right ending for this book?
• Is this the best ending for this book?

The above is know among writers as the internal editor's voice.  I can normally shut it out through most of the book, but by the time I get to the ending, it's sitting firmly on my shoulder, more entranced by the finish line than I am.

In this particular case, I know the ending.  I know there's enough surprises built in to make it work.  I've got enough characters with opposing goals to make this a showstopper of an ending.  I only have to just knock my internal-editor off my shoulder and write.

As goals for the new year go, I've got one.  I've got the time off to do it.  And the impetus to get it finihsed.  Wish me luck.

And I wish all of you the best for 2008.


Shereen