The Writing Coach - Column from Woman’s Way Magazine

Week 6

Welcome to week 6 of The Writing Coach, the column that gets you writing. Last week we looked at staying motivated while writing your book or short story.
This week we’re looking at endings and rewrites.

How should I end my book?

Endings are one of the most vital components of successful commercial fiction. As well as having a climax - a point where your character’s action comes to a head - your books must also have well-plotted and powerful resolution.

In the case of a crime novel or a thriller, all your plot strands must be carefully sewn up and the reader must be left in no doubt as to how the story ends. For example, The Da Vinci Code has been an amazingly successful book and its author, Dan Brown, carefully brings the reader towards the final thrilling denouement in a practiced and clever manner. And, most importantly, the reader is left looking forward to read another Dan Brown book. Result!

In the case of romantic fiction, it is standard to give your main character/characters happy or at least hopeful endings. Don’t kill any of your main characters off without good reason and yes, I know it’s a cliché but try to end with at least the promise of a future date, an actual date, or even a marriage proposal. After all, your readers are reading for escapism, and a ‘happily ever after’ ending is just what they are looking for. It would be a cruel and foolish (and probably unpublished!) romance writer who refused to deliver. One of the most successful ‘romances’ of all time, ‘Emma’ by Jane Austen, ends in marriage after all.

Your book could have surprises and twists towards the end, exploiting powerful emotions. Cathy Kelly and Melissa Hill are particularly good at this. Keep the readers guessing and turning the pages right up until the final scene.

Your readers will remember your ending more than any other scene in the whole book and the choice of whether they will read your next book or not can hinge on it. So make it good. It’s up to you to deliver!

 

OK, I’ve finally finished my book or short story, what next?

Before you even think of sending your book to an agent or to a publisher, or your short story to a magazine, you need to look at it objectively and make it as perfect as you can. Ask someone you know and trust to read your work. But remember, there’s no point giving a romantic comedy written for women to a man to read. Or a thriller to a Mills and Boon fan. And never give anything to your mother to read - she’ll always like it, it’s her job!

Ask your reader to be honest. Ask them which parts they liked and which they found slow or boring. Ask them to comment on the characters, the plot, the writing and the pace. Once they have given you their honest opinion, listen to what they have said and try to work out how you can make your book or short story better. Does it need a stronger opening scene, is the action bogged down with irrelevant detail, are there too many subplots vying for attention? And see if you reader picks up on the overall ‘theme’ of your book.

If your friends and family can’t help, you could try asking a local librarian or bookseller to read your book for you. If you still can’t find anyone to read your manuscript, never fear. There are professional readers out there who are willing to help you. Two such businesses are StoryTracks at www.storytracks.net and The Hilary Johnson Agency at www.hilaryjohnson.co.uk.

Try not to get disheartened. All professional writers have to change their work at some stage; it comes with the territory. Pick yourself up and get on with making your book or short story even better. Rewrite and keep rewriting until you are reasonably happy with it. You’ll never be totally happy with your book or short story - even when it’s published - but will comes to a stage when it’s time to let go. And then begins the scary and nerve wracking part - letting go of your baby and sending it to an agent or a publisher.

Next week I’ll talk about writing a successful short story. So if you’re working towards entering the Woman’s Way Short Story Competition, don’t miss it!

Good luck!

Sarah XXX

 

Question from a Reader

Dear Sarah,

At what stage do you suggest approaching a publisher? Do you need a complete first draft, or is it enough to offer a short summary?

Mary Malone,
West Cork

Answer from Sarah

Dear Mary,

Newspapers thrive on stories of first time writers securing six figure advances on the back of three chapters and a short synopsis. Sensational stories sell papers after all. But the reality is that in the ultra-competitive world of commercial fiction, only the strong survive, and only the most talented, most original and most hard working writers get published. It is always better to have at least one whole book under your belt before you go looking for an agent or a publisher. That way at the very least you have an advantage over the author who only has three chapters and a synopsis written. And in order to know a book and to really know your characters, you need to have the whole story told. So I would always advise writers to finish their book before taking any steps towards publication. It’s a harder and longer road of course, but if you’re serious about your writing. you’re in it for the long haul and not for instant glory.

Best of luck,

Sarah XXX