How many times have you sat down with a goal to finish, complete or successfully end a story or book? Did you feel good about the outcome?
For many of us, the story continues on far past the need for "closure."
As a writer, the day comes when my characters may have killed each other off, either physically or emotionally, and deserve to be put to rest. But that time has to wait until I'm ready to let go. It can't be mired in a deadline, held hostage by an editor's needs or grappled into submission by me to fill anybody's expectations. That includes my own.
Only when I honor the writing by allowing it to flow and be shaped rather than forced into existence does it lead the way to a natural conclusion.
For many of us, the story continues on far past the need for "closure."
As a writer, the day comes when my characters may have killed each other off, either physically or emotionally, and deserve to be put to rest. But that time has to wait until I'm ready to let go. It can't be mired in a deadline, held hostage by an editor's needs or grappled into submission by me to fill anybody's expectations. That includes my own.
Only when I honor the writing by allowing it to flow and be shaped rather than forced into existence does it lead the way to a natural conclusion.
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