When do you consider a novel or short story to be finished?
I never feel like my work is finished. Because I can always see a way to improve it. So for me - I have had to define finished as being complete and polished but not perfect. Otherwise I would never finish anything :)
Writers, especially of fiction, often deal with grey areas. There is not set definition of when our works it complete. How to go about completing our work. Or any defined standards that we are held to. Even identifying which genre to label our writing with can be difficult.
In this somewhat daunting world of flux I have found it useful to make a definition. Like with being finished - if I am struggling with something in writing - I define it.
For example. I write Science Fiction and Fantasy which are two genre's that are very closely related. So when I am writing something how do I know if it is Science Fiction or Fantasy? Well - I defined what the two terms mean to me. Science Fiction is (most often) scientifically plausible and futuristic in nature. Fantasy usually has a medieval feel and involves magic, is not scientifically plausible and so on.
Now - these are not necessarily other peoples, or even the industries, definitions of Science Fiction and Fantasy. But having defined these terms for myself - I find it easier to categorize my work.
What definition's have you made in your life to help you with writing?
I've never actually finished a novel. I'm just hoping I'll know it when I see it :-)
ReplyDeleteI am sure you will :)
DeleteMy fiction is so rusty and poor. I guess by setting a definition I should first set a goal to make sure and write some fiction each day, even if it is for just 10 minutes or so.
ReplyDeleteI understand your need to set a limit or the end is never realized. ;D
Without limits - I would continually tweek my writing. Actually I do the same thing with my programming :)
DeleteFor me it helps when I set goals. This makes me accountable for my writing and allows me to see exactly what I want to get accomplished. It also feels great when I accomplish them.
ReplyDeleteWhen I write I first write my rough draft as quickly as possible. Then I go back and slowly look through each chapter in order. Once I am satisfied with a chapter I go onto the next chapter until the book is complete. After I hand it over to an editor and double check/ approve some of the editing. Only then will I be truly satisfied.
Goals help me too. That is a good process. I struggle between feeling like it is done and feeling like it is good.
DeleteI agree with your definition of being finished, and I love your definitions of fantasy VS sci-fi. Love both genres. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks. I love both genres too. I have even had people ask me which one I like better. I just stare at them :)
DeleteGreat way to look at things! Each time I think a project is done, my fingers itch for just one more edit, just one more. But, at some point I have to be finished...right? :)
ReplyDeleteExactly! It's hard to let it go. I have had to put my 'finished' novel aside and not touch it for a while. Because - I keep getting tempted to rewrite the whole thing :)
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