The Final Stretch

[Incanus]

Yay! I'm brainstorming for my novel's finale right now. I think I can reach the climax in about 4 of my roughly 2000-word chapters.

Since I am writing what I call a 'half-draft', I will be leaving off drafting of the denouement until I get there again by writing the second half of that draft. It will be like a reward for getting that far.

Even though this version of the story will be between 85-90K words, I expect the final novel to get to about 130-140K (this is part of why I call it a 'half-draft')

The best part about this is that I think the story 'works'. The draft is horrid, but the story is good (I hope). I like to think I learned my lesson when producing a poor novel the first time around.

I should be able to complete this draft in about 4-5 weeks. So, once more--Yay!

 

[ThinkerX]

'Just a few more chapters! Just a few thousand more words! Two weeks tops!' Three weeks and ten thousand words later... 'Just a few thousand more words!'

 

[pmmg]

Just let us know when to pop the cork.

 

[Incanus]

'Just a few more chapters! Just a few thousand more words! Two weeks tops!' Three weeks and ten thousand words later... 'Just a few thousand more words!'

Ha! I tend to be pretty realistic about these things. I know most of what's going to happen in the story. There's a chance it will require 5 chapters instead of 4, but that's about as far off as I'll be.

However, this is an important part of the novel. It may take some time for development/brainstorming, more than usual.

 

[Diana Silver]

That sounds awesome, thanks for sharing! I am sure that if the story has felt like it 'clicks' up until this point, you will certainly find an ideal ending for it to! Go all out, and when in doubt: chose whichever path feels most exciting.

Keep us posted if you like

 

[dollyt8]

Yay! I'm brainstorming for my novel's finale right now. I think I can reach the climax in about 4 of my roughly 2000-word chapters.

Since I am writing what I call a 'half-draft', I will be leaving off drafting of the denouement until I get there again by writing the second half of that draft. It will be like a reward for getting that far.

Even though this version of the story will be between 85-90K words, I expect the final novel to get to about 130-140K (this is part of why I call it a 'half-draft')

The best part about this is that I think the story 'works'. The draft is horrid, but the story is good (I hope). I like to think I learned my lesson when producing a poor novel the first time around.

I should be able to complete this draft in about 4-5 weeks. So, once more--Yay!

That's fantastic; I hope everything goes really well for you and you can finish on the timeline you want!

 

[Incanus]

That sounds awesome, thanks for sharing! I am sure that if the story has felt like it 'clicks' up until this point, you will certainly find an ideal ending for it to! Go all out, and when in doubt: chose whichever path feels most exciting.

Keep us posted if you like

Yes!--I'd say you are largely right about that. The story has 'clicked'.

When working on my first novel, early on I had a sense things weren't working all that well. I just forced my way through anyway. It never clicked.

This time, I have a sense of hitting an 'X factor'--all the elements are combining and producing something that feels like it will be a whole and satisfying story.

It was like two different experiments with chemicals. The first batch of chemicals just turned into a dull sludge. The next batch started some reactions, and it's been bubbling and shooting off colorful sparks ever since.

I came up with a couple more ideas last night. Getting closer...

 

[Fidel]

Yay! I'm brainstorming for my novel's finale right now. I think I can reach the climax in about 4 of my roughly 2000-word chapters.

Since I am writing what I call a 'half-draft', I will be leaving off drafting of the denouement until I get there again by writing the second half of that draft. It will be like a reward for getting that far.

Even though this version of the story will be between 85-90K words, I expect the final novel to get to about 130-140K (this is part of why I call it a 'half-draft')

The best part about this is that I think the story 'works'. The draft is horrid, but the story is good (I hope). I like to think I learned my lesson when producing a poor novel the first time around.

I should be able to complete this draft in about 4-5 weeks. So, once more--Yay!

Congrats on nearing the climax! A “half-draft” sounds like a smart approach, getting the bones down first, then fleshing it out. The fact that the story “works” is huge, even if the draft’s rough. You’re learning and growing, and that’s what matters. Keep pushing, you’re on track for something great.