I’m a week into my month-long vacation from writing. I’ve finally taken down my Christmas tree, the decorations are in boxes ready to be put away and half my closet is cleaned out. I’m not moving as quickly as I would like, but it’s progress. I’m also working daily to promote my book, exercise and catch up with friends and family. But all the while, in the back of my mind, I’m percolating on my third book.
Since I’m not big on outlining, I don’t write a plan for the story before I write a book. Instead, I like to take time before I begin a new project to think about the plot and the characters’ journey. I do my best thinking while I’m doing something else – driving, working out or cleaning. I call it percolating because it’s like making a cup of coffee – you put all the ingredients together and do something else while you wait until they blend into the perfect cup of coffee.
So that’s where I am at the moment – percolating.
I had always thought the ending of my current series would go a certain way. But lately, after finishing the second book while I’m percolating about the third, I might be having a change of heart. How I always envisioned the story resolving itself might not be what the readers would like to see. I’ve gotten some feedback already from beta-readers who have read the second book and I was surprised to hear their thoughts about how the series should end. I’m wondering if I should stay true to my vision or consider the reader’s feelings. It’s quite a pickle.
I’d always said that I would stay true to what I wanted for my writing and not bend to the reader’s will. But I’ve also been on the flip side of that scenario and I’ve been furious when a story doesn’t end the way I wished it had. If only I could write this book as a “choose-your-own-adventure” then everyone could have the story end the way they want and everyone would be happy. But I think that’s a cop out. I need to commit to a storyline and see it through to the end.
So I have three weeks left to percolate. Do I stick with my original vision or change my ending? I know that whatever storyline I choose, part of me will regret the path not chosen. But at least after all my percolating I will have a solid plan for the final book in my series and a cleaner house.
Happy Tuesday 💕