Wednesday, October 5, 2016

IWSG: Is It Done Yet??

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is a community of writers who share ideas and encourage other writers. It's a great place to express doubts and concerns as well as offer and receive tribulations and guidance from other writers. IWSG posts the first Wednesday of every month. I think you'll find it to be a great writer's resource that's well worth your time. Be sure to stop by and visit with some of the other IWSG writers/bloggers at IWSG Members.


Thank you October Co-Hosts:
Beverly Stowe McClure
Megan Morgan
Viola Fury
Madeline Mora-Summonte
Angela Wooldridge
Susan Gourley

When do you know your story is ready?


Is it done yet?  How do you know?  Whether you're writing a report, an article, short story, or novel, there comes a point when you realize "it's done".  For me, it's a feeling I get like finally finding and placing that last piece in a puzzle.  It clicks, and I realize my job of creating is done - for the moment.  Everything is suddenly right in my story's world (or in my article, etc.) although right doesn't mean perfect.  It means I accomplished most of what I started out to do and have meandered my way through all the roadblocks and detours I encountered along the way.  My adrenaline high from riding out the crest of conflict begins to ebb, my breathing slows, and I think YES!  This is the page I've been looking for - The End!


How do you know when your story is ready?

11 comments:

Chrys Fey said...

I do love that moment when everything clicks into place and you reach the end. It's magical. :)

Pat Garcia said...

I think it clicks for me after I have finished my last final draft. I sit back and read it through. If I lose myself in what I've written, I know in my gut, it is ready.
Shalom aleichem,
Patricia

Sandra Hoover said...

It is magical! It's almost an "audible" click...it just feels right! Thanks for stopping by today, Chrys.

Sandra Hoover said...

That's a good feeling, Patricia. I'm such a perfectionist that it's often hard for me to stop tweaking things & accept that "it's done!" Thank you for stopping in today.

Nancy Gideon said...

Ahhh! The satisfaction of an ending well done. The first and the last lines are always the hardest.

Sandra Hoover said...

I hadn't thought about it that way, but it's so true. Once that first line is on the page (to my satisfaction), the rest starts to flow - even when writing something like an article or post. Getting the first line down is definitely the hardest for me.

Misha Gerrick said...

That feeling definitely comes up for me too, but mostly, I measure it by whether or not I've changed a lot of things in the previous round. The fewer things I need to change, the closer I am to being done.

Diane Burton said...

Love doing the happy dance when a project is done.

Sandra Hoover said...

I agree, after a few edits. I was thinking more about when I finish the first draft...that feeling of Yes! Thanks for stopping in, Misha!

Sandra Hoover said...

Oh yeah! Snoopy definitely has it down pat! lol It's a good feeling. Thanks Diane!

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

It's a lot easier to write "the end" at the bottom of the first draft than it is to recognize when the time has come to step away from the computer and stop fiddling with it.