This quote stuck out to me because I've experienced its truth. I had written tons of story beginnings, but when I buckled down and finished a full manuscript, I grew more in those months as a writer than I had in the years before.
Have you finished a manuscript? Did you notice growth from the experience?
Hey this is my first time commenting on a post. I've just finished reading Go teen writers the book you wrote with Jill Willamson and I just wanted to say thank you. That book has been a big help to me.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that it is important to finish your book before you start a new one. I've written several book beginnings and I have only recently finished one of them.
Thank you for taking the time to encourage young authors like me.
I'm so glad the book was helpful! Congratulations on finishing your first book!
DeleteThanks for the encouragement. It means a lot.
DeleteI've finished 2. Both aren't novel length and need a lot of editing, but they have a beginning, middle, and an end (I hope!).
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot more than my early books had, Alea! Good for you!
DeleteI've finished hmmm . . . 4. They're just drafts though. This post is very true. There is a nice feeling to finishing a book. I cried the first time! lol!
ReplyDeleteWow, good for you! It's a surprisingly emotional experience.
DeleteI've finished 2 so far, and it's really great to have a finished story to start editing with. And I definitely experienced growth! Plus the feeling of having a draft finished is absolutely wonderful.
ReplyDeletearendedewit.blogspot.com
Good for you, Arende!
DeleteI finished my first novel this past November (I'd started it in September, then decided to tag along with all my friends doing NaNoWriMo and finished it November 30), and the feeling was amazing. I'd started tons of stories before, but this was the first time I'd ever finished anything. Such a confidence booster--It's because of that novel that I feel equipped to write my current one, which I'm pretty sure is THE novel. It's amazing. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting the quote.
Congratulations, Catsi! How awesome that you're able to see such growth.
DeleteYes. Yes, I agree with this! I didn't learn much from my non-finished stories...it's the ones I've at least finished a first draft of that taught me.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, thanks for recommending that book--I got it about a year ago and it's great. :)
Isn't it? My copy is so underlined and dog-eared...
DeleteI just finished my first book, and I'm so happy! Yes, I learned so much more from finishing it. I think I even have more energy then when I first started the book. Thank you for all the encouragement and tips your blog provides.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Grace!
DeleteThis post really hits home for me. I have many many stories started but...as for finishing them? Zilch. I havn't ever finished one of my stories...besides the short ones. Thanks for this post!
ReplyDeleteThere's no shame in that, Shayla. I had been writing for a long time before I muscled up and finished one. Sometimes it just takes finding the story you're motivated enough to write all the way through :)
DeleteI've finished 3. I self-published one and am working on editing the sequel now. I learn so much about perseverance and the craft from finishing my stories. Especially revising and editing. You can't fix a blank page. That's why I always finish my projects, no matter how long they take me.
ReplyDelete"You can't fix a blank page." I love that. You're absolutely right, Zara.
DeleteI'm always afraid to start writing my novels because I can't help but tell myself that I won't finish... and then I give up on the whole thing and yeah... I've started SO many stories like I can't even count them all. But this one I've just started writing I am absolutely determined to finish. I think it's my best idea yet and I'm so excited about it!
ReplyDeleteThis is my first comment on your blog and I just wanted to say thank you for all of the super helpful information you've posted on here! Love it!
I'm so glad you're here! And I have more story beginnings than I can count too. Starting new stories is irresistible, I think. You just never know which one is going to stick. Keep at it!
DeleteI've finished a few short stories and many poems. Do any of you guys do poetry?
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I don't, but I've seen several writers talk about it around here. Jill is hunting down an interview with a poet :)
DeleteI've finished three novels, and I grew as a writer in different ways from finishing each of them. The most important lesson I learned was to just keep writing no matter how bad I felt my writing was.
ReplyDelete~ Kayla
And that is a HARD thing to do. Way to stick with it, Kayla!
DeleteI've finished 7 now, I think, and I've definitely seen growth through each one. The first drafts are almost like the story of my writing life: I can look back and see how I've progressed.
ReplyDeleteAlexa Skrywer
alexaskrywer.blogspot.com
Yes, I've totally seen this to be true :)
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