My hours spent on YouTube, reading books about writing, and talking with other writers often lead me to believe I’m breaking a major rule of writing. Jenna Moreci, the first BookTuber I discovered, even has a book that seems to scream it at me—Shut Up and Write the Book. The title itself is basically saying, focus, and I’ll help you do it.
My response? I am. Just not in the way you are.
My husband, my biggest fan, is also my most brutally honest critic. He’ll say, I think you’re focusing on things that aren’t as important as just writing, as you should be. He’ll follow up with, Maybe you’re afraid of rejection, but you need to finish.
And he’s right. But so am I.
I have three projects I’m working on right now. Conventional wisdom says I should pick one, focus, and finish. But my process has always been different. Hubby would argue, but you’re not finishing, and I’d reply, yet.
So, who’s right? Hopefully, both of us.
Like most writers, I’ve started more stories than I’ve finished—more than I care to admit. But each of those unfinished stories taught me something. And through them, I’ve realized that rejection isn’t my biggest fear. That’s inevitable. My real fear? A terrible ending.
I don’t understand how so many books get published with endings that completely fall flat. I’m sure as I say this, a few popped into your head. And I don’t mean endings that I personally dislike—I mean endings that objectively don’t work.
Take The Stand by Stephen King. I was glued to that book for hours. To this day, I can’t think about tunnels without picturing Larry Underwood making his way through that corpse-filled nightmare. It’s one of the best books I’ve ever read—with one of the worst endings. But I still read King’s books, knowing the ending might disappoint me, because the journey is always worth it.
I want my stories to have endings that satisfy the reader. That doesn’t mean they have to be happy, just right. I want my readers to close the book and think, That was the perfect ending.
And maybe that’s why I don’t just shut up and write. I’m searching for the perfect endings for all three of my projects. I’m hoping that through this website, my social media (which is just getting started), and all my studying, reading, and interacting with my audience, I’ll find them.
Because like it or not, until I do, I won’t be able to finish.
But on the upside—I did just finish the first draft of Book One of Other Kinds of Monsters. Proof that I can finish something. At least a draft.