A favourite topic among writers is that oldie, but goodie: “How do you know when your book is done?” I can’t answer for any of you, but I think I’ve finally figured it out for myself.
When I am writing a book, the occasional new idea flits through my head. Some are better than others, and I write those down. I might even journal about them a bit. While writing this WIP, I went so far as to try to do a synopsis of a new idea, which I then passed back and forth with my agent a few times before finally giving it up as dead. No matter how excited I might get about something new, it never, ever sticks. After a few days, I forget all about it. When I’m working on one book, I can edit another (I alternated editing Restoring Harmony and writing The Right & the Real for the last six months), but apparently, there’s No Vacancy in my brain for a new book idea.
And that’s how I know I’m wrapping up work on a book. Last Friday, as I came into the homestretch on my revisions for this WIP, I got a fresh book idea. A good one. One that I’ve journaled about and it expanded instead of deflated. One that is flooding me with more and more details. One that is making me anxious to sit down and start writing something – a synopsis probably. While there will be months of revisions with my editor ahead of me, this seems like a strong indicator that my initial draft of The Right & the Real is essentially done.
This new book idea is a big relief because when you only have room for one story in your head at a time, you can’t help but wonder if you’ll ever get another good idea or if this will be the last book you ever write.
How do you know when you’ve finished a book?
I have no idea when I’m done, as you know! It’s certainly not when a new idea shows up, as you also know 🙂 Another thing to learn.
Awesome! For me it’s more of a gut feeling when I’m done. And I do need to set aside the manuscript for a couple of weeks, then go back with a fresh eye and re-read it before I can truly say I’m done.
Of course, after that comes edits from my agent and editor and copy-editor! But I love the re-writing and editing process. I actually prefer it to writing the first draft.
“This new book idea is a big relief because when you only have room for one story in your head at a time, you can’t help but wonder if you’ll ever get another good idea or if this will be the last book you ever write.”
Uh…yeah. I totally feel this way. I’m a one book type of a guy. I can’t write more than one thing, because I try to put everything into it. I know it’s okay to move on when I can get excited about something else.
Great blog post! And a very good question. I think for me every book is different. It’s like cooking a dish. Every dish has a “done” look. When the “insides” are cooked and the outside presentation is polished.
There is a point where you don’t want to ruin a good thing by adding more.
And well, getting tired of working on it is another sign like you noted. LOL