It's easy to finish a novel

I just got notification on your article through Novelists Only. I'd have to agree with you that it can be a simple task getting things done. At the moment, I haven't sat down for a significant duration on my own manuscript, but the task ahead involves two subplots, one on each side of the story. A friend has read it, and even though she has published books before, she went ahead and told me it could be a bestseller with a specific, wide audience. I have to believe her, because I know it that way also. She went further by saying the subplots would be intense.

The only problem I see is that people are handing in rough draft to first edit and so on, and none of these agents have enough reading time to choose more than 1 to 2 % of what they get in the form of a query, supposedly.

You're lucky. I'm thinking about publishing through Lulu.com because of the rating it has and that they only take 25% of the book's earnings.

Do you have an agent? Do they recommend one?

I find that the best feedback I get comes from doing readings... first of all, I hear it ...and find the places I trip over - and secondly, I'm abe to see reactions.

Terry, if the rest of the book is like the first chapter.....I KNOW I will like it!
Glad you persevered until you 'really finished the book'!

Hi Terry,

Yes, this does sounds awfully familiar. I finished my novel last summer and then again for the Gather contest. The positive feedback was heartening, but lots of other comments made it clear I was not done yet. I'm really looking forward to hearing more about your journey in completing "The Way Life Should Be".

Thanks~~

thanks for the help, man

Great stuff. And very encouraging. Keep this up and I may dig out my novel I started three decades ago and buried. Looking forward to the next article.

Terry my friend... The timing on this line of the article "But I did read it to the very end," she said, sounding amazed at herself." OUT LOUD FUNNY. You may as well have ripped that line right out of the mouth of my father in-law. "I've read the god forsaken drivel. All of it. Hours of my life that will I will never get back." And those were positive compared to my wife. Ugh.

Thanks for this.

Terry - I do not write fiction - but I am finding it facinating after following the 1st chapters contest and your blogs at the level of comitmement and the long painful trip to turn a thought and story into a novel. Thanks for opening up to us :)

thanks

Okay Terry. Now I feel better. I finished my first novel before Christmas, finished it again for first chapters, then tried to finish it again ready to send it out. I ended up with a very well-polished query letter and a novel that I wasn't sure would ever be worth reading... So you're way ahead of me, but at least now I know someone who's written something good was once where I am now. Looking forward to your future articles.

I can relate big time to this article Terry. I've been working on my novel for a year and feel I'm not getting any closer to finishing. I've wrote and rewrote a million times but still don't feel I'm making any progress!

God, this really thrills me. Thanks !!! Somebody else has been there!

Right now I'm in a place where I just have my finished (for the first time) novel tucked away, out of my sight. I swear I have "burn-out."

I have to admit a thought of it creeps into my mind now and then. But, until I'm in the right frame of mind .... (sigh!)

I am working on three books, so far. I've got to work on finishing all of them, in due time. Due time, in my personal world, generally takes a looooooooooong time.

As a former newspaper reporter, I am so accustomed to working in small chunks rather than larger ones. Sometimes that almost defeats my purpose of writing a book-length MSS. I've edited a book, however, but that is not the same.

I hope you have great success with your book Terry when you finally have it finished. I think a book is much like a lot of life, you really never know when it is done until you decide it is. I paint a bit, and somehow I always know when to stop. One more brush stroke could be the one that ruins it. Perhaps a novel is like that, knowing when to stop. I think your writing is very good, and I think you will have your success. Everything in life worthwhile, takes time to get.

I've gone over and over my manuscripts, and then put them aside for awhile.. repeat. It is a process to be sure. I'm looking for an agent at the moment, and it makes writing the book seem like the easy part.

All the best. Enjoy the ride.

Good stuff, Terry. Glad you kept at it!

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm the type who can't get past the first few chapters until I think they're perfect. Thats why I only have the first few chapters, LOL. Looking forward to the next installment.

And look for Terry's series to be featured in Art Ambrosia. Thanks Terry

Terry,

The process, the process, the process...then the pay-off...hey...the process is the pay-off. Oh, yeah, I see now.

I completely agree Terry. On my novel Her Sister's Sacrifice, I think I am done and then I re read it or someone else reads and I realize guess what you are not. I think it is like owning your own home for the first time it is always a work in process.

Terry, what are you doing reading my mind?! LOL! I can't begin to tell you how many times I "finished" my book. I put it away for a while, read it anew, or found someone who was kind enough to read it "to the end" only to discover something needs fixing or polishing. I've tweaked my novel "Wife Seeking Wife" for the last five years and will probably tweak it long AFTER it's published. =:o)

Thanks for a day-brightening article!

It is so great that you are sharing all this with us. It not only prepares us for what is involved with writing and editing a novel, it provides inspiration. What I admire about you the most is not that you won the contest, but that you have remained a down to earth friend to all of us here. It proves to me that you deserve this honor because of your hard work, talent and great attitude. Bravo!

So familiar. I wrote and "finished" a novel 30 years ago for my senior honor's project. I never liked it well enough to do anything with it; actually, I hated the main character (it was written in first person, too, if that tells you anything). I've had ideas of how to change it, some of which I feel excited about, but for God's sake it was written on a TYPEWRITER, so I'll have to scan it if it can be done, or (gasp) really, REALLY REWRITE IT! Ill read the next article and maybe that will give me another shove. Thanks for posting this. And thanks, Tracey W for letting me know about it.

I'm delighted to read your perspective on this. I, too, have finished my first novel several times. The second one, only once. And the third keeps leading me on and on and on. Your eventual success with yours is encouraging. "Never give up" is inscribed across my forehead. Thanks for the insights.

I too enjoyed your perspective.

Oh this is so inspiring to know I am not alone. I write short things just to get a sense of completion while I struggle with my novels. I also take all my reading outside the household. I can never get an honest crtiique and it goes both ways. From my children I can get a bad review bases on refusing to give them money or let them go somewhere! Thanks so much for this!

Terry, please keep me updated on your novel. I would love to read it & to buy my own copy of to get you to sign when it comes out. Thanks!

CONGRATS AGAIN TERRY

We are the worst critics we have. You are doing great, and will continue to do so, and your book will be successful. Do not over-read, you will go on forever, as you want your best out there. Some of your best is right here on this paage, Thanks, Ellen B.

Terry thanks for a timely piece on what many of us have been through. Someone above said she is writing three novels at once. I am also. Someone else said it is the journey where all the fun lies. I havde to agree - the process is what is the most fun.

Getting published would probably be a lot of fun also, eh?

Now that you have won this contest and are going to be published - do you NEED an agent?

Terry, I only have seen what, 2 chapters of "The way life should be"? I loved it! I kept expecting to read more of it, but haven't been able to figure out where. I suppose I'll have to wait til it is published to read any more, right?

The ending has certainly been a happy one for you! Good post.

Terry,
Your article rings my bell. It seems that agents are reluctant to approach publishers with books that they deem as good ideas, writen well. Even though the agent likes it, they have this fear of the market place built by their own conception of what's hot and what's not. I've worked as you did many hours to finish and Polish my work, THE FEATHERY... had the same reaction. Good read, but doesn't work in the market. Strange, how it took the Gather contest's indepth review process to get what you deserved and to accomplish what litery agents failed to do. I chuckle when I think of the black feathered bird that your agent(s) are trying to digest. Also, it would be interesting to to get their reaction and I'm sure some form of their rationalization on the how and why they missed out. Could you tell us about that agent rationalization and reaction to your contest win and ensuing publication in a future article? Best, Bill

Terry,
You tease...you post an article about finishing your book...and then you don't finish the article???

Why, I oughtta...

Don't leave us hangin' buddy. Great read, I can't wait to read to the end!
;-)

Terry, this is an encouragement to all of us. Thanks.

We all having something we want/need to tweak, change, rewrite, delete, add... We just need to do it!

That's great Terry. Glad you kept at it. Wish I knew literal people who would go that extra mile for me and my writing.
Can't wait to read what you write next....

Good article! This is very helpful advice for all kinds of writing. It can be so discouraging. But you are proof - never give up. Thank you!

Well, I've never written a novel and don't expect to, either. But I wanted to say how much I admire those of you who have done so. I believe that it truly does take a high degree of determination and focus to complete a novel--and an even higher degree of determination to "finish" it repeatedly. My admiration goes out to all of you novelists, published or not!

My dreams and aspirations aren't as high I am just tickled to death to get the few comments I do. I have read some of The way life should be here on gather and thought highly of it. I get the impression that you are capable of achieving what ever you set out to do in life.

I am reminded of the story my english lit prof. at Penn State told me once about Earnest Hemingway's "Farewell to Arms"...He wrote the ending 33 times. 32 times he hated his ending. I don't know how much tequila or other alcohol was involved in his emendations, but let's hope Terry, it doesn't get to that for you!
I humbly consider it a good year when I gum up the courage to write a letter to the editor and find it was published.

ah - the dedication and perserverance it takes to become a novelist - wishing you the best ~j

Thankyou Terry for telling me about your book! Please keep me posted! I love this article, and all of the ensuing responses. I was 'discovered," at a junior college. I'd never gone to high school, and by the time I had pulled enough of my life together take the GED and to go to college, I had basically stopped communicating. I grew up in an intelligent family, but somehow I missed the gene boat. Because every time I opened my mouth I was told to shut up and that I made no sense. Often times I would horrify my mother by the questions I would seriously ask. "Where do you come up with these things, " she would say in disgust. 'Noone knows what you are talking about.; I remember my brother saying to me, after I had created a stage piece for theatre at the junior high...'No one knew what you were doing."
Now I ask everyone here. I dressed up as a frog, and a friend wore a divers suit. I wanted to come chasing my friend, who I called "Mama" across the stage between the short pieces being presented. Even the Directer would only let me do it once. Now this was the time of Laugh In. I mean, REALLY. If I rode a tricylcle across stage and fell over, that would be funnier than a frog mistaking a diver for her biological mother? But no matter what I did, tried, wrote, sang (I was told my voice sounded like a frogs. So why wasn't my mini skit perfect?). Anyway, at my first class in college we were asked to describe someone we knew. That was it. Homework. So I described my friend, 'Cabin Frank'.
The day after I'd handed it in, the professor came into the classroom and first thing began reading my story. I blanched. I knew I was in for a hard time. I could hear clanging in my hear, like the the bell of a church calling me to my funeral. I attemtpted to slide under the table.
The fellow next to me, who I considered old compared to my 27 or so years, and who was probably younger than I am now, kept pulling me back into my chair, saying, "how did you do that" "what?" I hissed attempting to uncurl his fingers from my arm. "Your story. How did you do that." I had no idea what he was saying except he sounded a whole lot like my friends and family growing up. "How on earth do you survive being so stupid," is what I heard. So when the professer said "now this could be a story in the book we are reading," I swear my mouth was open and I must have been drooling like an idiot. She was speaking a foreign language. To end this saga, for the next ten years I was pushed higher and higher thru entrance hoops to grander more exclusive schools. I had planned on a two year degree as an alcohol counselor. The idea was that I would professionally write. Well, I fooled them. I got a graduate degree as a therapist, pulling a three sixty, just completing the circle back to human services on higher ground. I stopped writing; stopped the arts all to gether. I didn't believe a word of what they had told me. I still didn't know grammer and thus I couldn't write. I had fooled three schools, no four, into allowing me in. My Magna Cum Laude honour was a mistake and on and on. Now, twenty odd years later, after having an accident that has slowed my life down considerably in the past four years, I am beginning to write again. Funny thing tho. I can't stop.

First let me declare that I am not a writer and have no idea of the agonies writers go through as they are bringing their ideas into fruition. I do know that your article title drew me in because I wanted to see what would follow such a declarative statement. I found the article very interesting and I look forward to reading "Finishing One More Time".

Terry I have no idea what ittakes to be a writer; I do believe you are going to do well with the novel and move on to write another.

Keep in touch with all of us.

Blessings

Thanks for writing this article. I've been working on the same book since 2005 and it's still nowhere near finished. This gives me some hope and encourages me to get my act together and work harder.

Personally, as a writer, I think we are much more critical of ourselves than anyone else can be.
Feedback is important, I get all my family and friends to read over my stuff too. I would respect their opinion much more than some agent who barely even glances at your work.

I don't think they're ever really finished. Whenever I open my novel to read in public, I find myself taking out a pen, and changing a few words before I start...Great article, Terry!

Terry,
The article is great. I can see why you're a successful nonfiction writer. I can't relate to fiction except with awe at your courage at undertaking it. Can't wait to see the published book but, in the meantime, I will be so happy to read your articles about the process. Thanks. Bobbi

At least, I don't have THIS problem to worry about as I have never STARTED writing a novel!

I've never had a problem with finishing a book!
(I don't even peek at the last page to see how it ends!)
Now, if only I could stay focused long enough to write more than an article, THAT would be something!
Keep at it, and tell me when the book comes out.

Great article, Terry!

wow, thanks for sharing that!!!

Just passing by. (((HUGGZ)))



Blessings

cool! keep going

I entered a 100 words or less paragraph contest for an opening to a novel. With a revision of my sequel, I used Through Windows.

It will never be "finished". Even after it's published!

Terry. I am convinced our fiction will never be "finished." I thought I had it made with my second book. It flowed so easily, had a nice even arc to the plot, and I loved the people in it. Now I am half-way through my third book and I don't understand what's happening. A character I don't particularly like has been hijacking the whole plot. She has become so strong that I am thinking of just simply letting her take center stage and see what happens. Or...NEVER finishing the book. It is so difficult for a writer to chuck so much work and begin all over again, but that's what happens sometimes. What a mystery - this writing process. Have you begun another book?
Marcia D

Marcia,
I started another book in February, and felt like I was well into it when I entered the Gather contest. Since then, I've had very little time to work on it, but am still plugging away when I can.

Thanks, Terry. This motivates me to change my third chapter yet again. I love that you never gave up. You deserved to win First Chapters.

Terry, congratulations on writing the book, having the nerve to send it off for comments and editing!

I have a play I've been working on since 2002! Every single time I'm convinced I've finished the final edit . . .well you know the drill. This year I'm working with a group of fellow playwrights on editing our works. I hope this will be the last time. How many times has it been edited you may ask? Not a clue but I know it's more than 10!

I wish you the best of luck.

First, congratulations again on your success, and thanks for sharing this story (and others) with us.

I wanted to say that the literary agent gave you great advice. Too often I read (yes!) published books where the writer doesn't seem to know what they are trying to do with the book, which does not a happy reader make. I think that agent truly pointed you in the right direction. Ok, you had to do all the hard work, but how many more years would you have spent without that comment? That is why self-publishing is a dead-end road for most writers, in my opinion. Publishing professionals are there to help writers. They are just overwhelmed with work that shouldn't have been submitted yet.

Great work! I love your first sentence!

As the saying goes if you don't succeed the first time try again. I am glad you are still trying. Also I agree that finding people who will honestly comment on your book a true challenge.

Great stuff, Terry! Easy to finish a novel? Maybe. Easy to publish? That's different!

As someone who reads a LOT of manuscripts for an agent/editor, I know that it isn't easy to stick to your vision and to not only write but edit your novel, sticking with it from start to finish. Glad you stuck with it and weren't too disheartened (not enought quit) from the comments you received from that editor. I enjoyed reading this!

This is good to hear Terry as I'm inclined to think that I'm a crappy writer as well, this is a lift of sorts!

Hmm...I guess this is a good lesson to everyone. I'll have to go back and re-read my old things to make sure they are really finished. Thanks for sharing!

Oh boy! I am so dying to finish a MSS...Problem is, I have 3, I think. But I'm filling holes and writing every day in them...Someday, at least one will be finished. I tell you!

The old maxim "Writing is re-writing" is so true! Terry, you are inspiration to those of us entered the latest First Chapter's Competition. Thanks for voting me.

Here's to your success Terry and I hope we do hear from you again in the form of another book.

Blessings

That's one of the things I love about Gather... Feedback! It's really helped me find my holes and smooth things out. I certainly understand your eagerness though! Thanks for sharing so freely of your experiences. Inspiring And informative, good combo!

..
U wishing you laughter

I like your writing style and find the subject fascinating. Glad to hear more is coming!

Hi, Terry. Your novel is arriving in my house tomorrow.

I 'finished' writing 'a novel' about 7 or 8 years ago. I hate it now. I let a few friends read a few different drafts. One told me to send a version to her agent. It wasn't right for her. Then I sent it to another agent, who lost it. Since then I turned the beginning of 'the novel' back into the story it probably should've been. But the rest of it still sits in my closet, occasionally bugging me. And I'm still not satisfied with the story version!

Terry, I really don 't think any of us could just walk away from the computer and say finally, it's finished. No matter how many times I've read mine over I see where I could change something. My husband says after a while you just have to stop. Thank you for this article. I now feel normal.

Terry, I wish you the best of luck. I really enjoyed reading your first chapter found it to be well written. I loved the story line, I will be first in line to buy it. your cup should be half full.!
You so do deserve it.
i like the way you grab us right a way, & I long to have read more.
I give you 10*
God bless
dee-dee

hello Jane & quinn
good luck with all you do.
Wishing all awonderful night,
Great week.
love your story Terry