Every story has a beginning, a middle and an end. Even if the story is ongoing, a chapter has an end, an event will have an end, a sentence has an end.
The writer’s journey has a beginning. An idea, pen to paper, fingers on a keyboard, a story plan or a brain dump, straight from the mind, hey, who cares if it’s disorganised, organisation can happen later.
The journey has a middle. Characters develop, situations occur, feelings are revealed, the writer has a block, the block is cleared, the writer changes their mind, there’s a rewrite, a new direction, more doubts – is it readable, ‘am I kidding myself?,’ feedback is sought, feedback is received. Back on track. An end is in sight.
The journey ends. Is it a happy one? Is there an opening for more? Will the reader want more? Was there even a conclusion?
For many writers, most writers, the end takes a while to reach because of doubts and misgivings, rereading reveals elements needing correction or deletion, memories resurface and need to be added.
There comes a time however, when that proverbial ‘line in the sand’ must be drawn. Perfection is an ideal, it isn’t real. Perfection should not be a goal, just aim to do your best.
While the story, the writing, may have ended, the journey has just begun. The journey to take your manuscript and make it a book.
Many writers do not know what is involved in this journey. It isn’t complicated, it isn’t complex or it shouldn’t be. The process is logical, one step at a time and with each step the book comes a little closer.
Does the journey finish with a printed book? The decision lies with the writer and why they decided to write. For some it is a personal experience to be kept that way and they have reached their destination. For others, they have something to share, so their journey continues…