IWSG Wednesday: Coming to the End of the Story

It's the first Wednesday of the month and time for a post from all the folks in the Insecure Writers Support Group. (IWSG) 

What is IWSG? Founder of IWSG and author Alex J Cavanaugh explains the group's purpose is

"to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!"

After visiting here, please take time to hop over to other blogs and hear their voices. You can find the list of participants at Alex's IWSG page.  

Check out the new IWSG Website for great writing tips.  

Image courtesy of digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Coming to the End of the Story by J.Q. Rose

I have been writing a story for almost a year now, off and on. I remember the excitement of scribbling out the basic outline of the plot in my notebook. With determination and optimism I began writing the first chapter. When finished, my heart soared to finally have a tangible chapter to save to my new folder.  The ideas that had been washing through my brain for months had taken shape into sentences and paragraphs. I was thrilled with the first foray into my new story.

Now in May 2014 I am closing in on the final chapters. My characters and I have gone through a lot together. They have transformed from my first imaginings of them. Some even have different names than they had in the first chapter. Roger is now Emmett, Jessica is now Lauren. And so on, and so on.

 I feel that I am at a precipice and not quite ready to jump off into the ending of the story. I hate to finish it, tie up all the loose ends, and be done with it. It's been such a growing experience for me. 

I realize I have much to do with re-writing this first draft, but let me just take a minute to appreciate all the thoughts and work that has gone on these months. I want to savor it awhile, before I end it.

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How about you? Do you hate to bring the curtain down on your story or are you relieved when you finally write THE END? Leave a comment and let us know. Thanks for stopping by today.

Banana Bread Baking and Synopsis Simmering

What a great Friday morning! Banana bread bakin' and synopsis simmerin'. 

The smell of the baking bread wafts through the house making my mouth water for the first bite. I hope I don't forget to check it while I am writing this post! Been there, done that...You too?

I am working on a synopsis, a summary, of my new mystery/romance. If you are a writer, you can understand how I am tearing my hair out trying to encapsulate an entire novel in one page. Yes, I am aware there are writers whose synopses are three to seven pages, but if I were an editor, I believe I would prefer a short version, wouldn't you? 

I want the synopsis to reflect the same, fun voice as the book to capture the attention of the publisher who will then be intrigued enough to read the manuscript.

These days are so different from the good ole days when an author had to print out a cover letter, synopsis, and  manuscript, then bundle it all up and mail the package to the publisher. Now most publishers just want a digital file, so there is no print cost or mailing fee. Easy for them and easy for authors to submit.

However the digital age doesn't make it any easier to craft a story! The words still have to flow on the page and the plot has to make sense with a good beginning hook, no muddled middle, and an ending that satisfies the reader. 

While mixing up the bread, ideas for the synopsis swirled in my head, so it was simmering in my brain as I stirred, smashed, and chopped the ingredients. I hope the recipe for the synopsis will come together to make a delicious read for an editor. 

Now the timer is dinging. I must get my handiwork out of the oven and my simmering synopsis off the back burner..