I just finished writing my last novel of 2021. I always feel like breaking into the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah after typing the last word of a book. However, as usual, right on the heels of my relief comes a burst of anxiety. I start second-guessing the plot, characters, and a hundred other issues. And then I wonder if I should just throw the whole thing in the trash.
Over the years, I’ve learned to talk myself off the ledge by telling myself these six things:
1. “Thank God for the editing process.” In fact, thank God for the MANY edits the book will undergo in the months to come, including my own self-editing as well as various levels of professional editing. Even though I’ve written over 30 previous books, I wouldn’t think for even one second about NOT putting every one of my books through the most stringent and vigorous editing process. In fact, I’ve learned to be grateful for the feedback that can make my books better.
2. “Wow. I actually made it to the end.” As I was writing this last book of the year, I felt the normal mid-book panic and asked myself questions like: Is the tension strong enough to keep readers moving? Where is this story taking me? Will I be able to wrap up the plot believably? I admit. I second-guess myself and my writing ability with almost every single book. So I feel satisfied at the end when somehow I manage to land the book at the destination without too much turbulence.
3. “I’ll need to cut major chunks, so don’t get too attached to the words.” After all, they’re just words. Sentences. Paragraphs. I WILL need to go back through the document and ruthlessly eliminate some of the prose that I labored over. To make the process slightly less brutal, I’ll open up a new, blank document and save those eliminated sections there. Not that I’ve ever used any of the deleted words again. But knowing that my hard work isn’t totally wiped out makes the process of cutting easier.
4. “Whew! It’s a relief to finish another book.” I love being in first draft writing mode. I love playing the roles of my characters and living out their stories. But those weeks of living in another world get a little intense. I push myself hard with daily word count goals, and I’m very strict about getting in my “words” for the day. That means I sacrifice other things (like free time!) during the weeks I’m writing the first draft. While I’m emotionally and physically drained after I finish climbing Manuscript Everest, there’s also a sweet sense of accomplishment.
5. “I hope readers like it.” I always write the books I love to read. I figure why write anything else? However, readers come into my books with differing expectations. I’ve long since realized that I can’t please everyone with every book. But I do hope that each book hits the sweet spot for the majority of my readers. And so at the end of every book, I sit back and ask myself what things about the story will or won’t please my readers.
6. “It’s time to put the baby to bed.” In other words, I need to stick my book in a virtual folder, step away from it, and say goodnight to it. I need to let it sit there untouched for a while (weeks if not a few months). After time away, when I finally go back to it for my first round of self-editing, I’m not so in-love with it anymore and able to approach it more objectively. I’m able to see issues and flaws more clearly and also able to start the hard work of editing with more enthusiasm.
In other book-related news, ENTWINED, the second book in my Knights of Brethren series releases on Dec. 7 (next Tuesday!). Early readers are saying about the book:
“Just a few pages into Entwined and the word that kept coming to mind was sizzling.”
“Let me just say that NO ONE writes swoony but sweet romance like Jody Hedlund.”
Pre-order your copy HERE
WHAT ABOUT YOU?! Do you ever second-guess yourself? How do you talk yourself off your ledge?
Jody Hedlund
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So much truth here, Jody! I usually think every book is the one that will end my career because it’s SO bad. I’m sick of my characters by the time I write “the end” and I think they’ve become boring. But like you, after a few months have gone by and my substantive/developmental edit comes back, I find myself thinking, “Hey, this isn’t half bad.” and “Awww, I’ve missed my characters.” or at the very least, “Well, I think there might be hope for this story if I just change this, this, and this.” Oh, how I love HAVING WRITTEN vs. actually writing. 🙂
Oh, if I had a dime for every time I’ve second-guessed myself. Great post!