I’m at the 2/3 point of my WIP…or turning into the last 1/3, depending on how you want to look at. This is always a significant milestone for me for two reasons: (1) Because I finally have a pretty clear idea at this point of exactly how I’m going to stick the landing (the ending); and (2) because I also have pretty clear idea of exactly what I’m going to need to do to revise the sucker.
I don’t necessarily work off of concrete outlines, although I usually set out some mile markers or guide posts for me to follow. In a longer, multi-viewpoint book like the current one, it’s also not unusual for me to loosely plot out a few chapters ahead to make sure I’m still on my compass heading; most of the time though, I allow myself quite a bit of exploring while I write, and getting through that long middle section of a book involves more than a few detours and hidden paths. While I work, I keep a “running list” (a “punch list”, is how I’ve referred to it before) of things that I know I’ll need to go back and address. For instance, if I realize that the relationship between two characters is more important than I originally anticipated, I’ll make a note to myself to go back and tighten that up, usually with a suggestion about which chapter or scene might already be available for that purpose, or what I’ll need to do to craft a new one. Thus, by the time I get into the final third of the book, I not only have the bulk of the main manuscript done, but also a pretty lengthy punch list as well, and both are usually in pretty good shape for the revision process. At this point, I can really see the shape and texture of the book – I’m excited about what I’ve accomplished, and even more excited for the changes I’m going to make.
And this where I’m at with my current WIP. I’ve been living with it, roaming around inside of it, for the last few months. Now, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and other than writing “The End”, this is my favorite part of writing a first draft.
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