A Decision Made: How Will My YA Book Series End?

I started work on my third book months ago, the final installment of my YA series The Rise and Fall of Dani Truehart.  But to be honest I haven’t made much progress.  Instead, three chapters in, I decided to take a break so I could percolate on the plot.  A few readers have given me very definite feedback about how they want to see the series end and what they envision for the main character.  I love that people reading my book have an interest in my characters and are rooting for a certain outcome. That’s every writers dream, right? Having readers invested in the story they’re telling?  The trouble is that the readers’ wishes are not what I envision for the story ending. I’ve been grappling with what to do – make the readers happy or write the series I started to write. It’s a tough decision that I’m sure every writer faces at one point.  

The series has evolved over time as my characters developed and grew.  I can honestly say much of the series is different than my initial vision, so why not change the ending, too?  In the past few weeks I’ve imagined writing both versions of this story – the readers’ vision as well as my own.  Wandering down different paths my character could take has been inspiring.  Both scenarios would work for my story.  One is more positive than the other, but both are realistic and would flow with what could happen in Dani’s world.  But, while seeing both sides is nice, it can be very confusing.  For me, too many possibilities only lead to more questions than answers.  I decided the only way to figure out what would work would be to tune out the confusion of different endings, other people’s opinions and my possibly outdated vision of the series and listen to my gut.  

If I’ve learned one thing in life is that while it’s good to listen to advice, sometimes you have to follow your own path, even if it doesn’t make sense to others when you start out. From majoring in theater in college, getting my first job in entertainment, to becoming a writer – many decisions in my life have been made based more on a feeling than fact or advice.  Even if my decision is an epic fail, like the time I worked exactly one day for a set mechanics company before deciding it wasn’t the job for me, at least I can learn what doesn’t work as well as what does.  There’s no embarrassment if I discover I’ve made a mistake.  The big mistake would be to continue down a path I know is wrong to avoid admitting I made a mistake.  I think this is one of those moments where I need to follow what my gut is telling me. I might just write an entire book only to discover that I hate it or, worse, my readers do!  But I think that would be better than wondering if I made the right choice the entire time I am writing.  I like my readers’ vision about the ending of the series but I really want to explore if my vision will work first.

So you’re witnessing it right here – a woman taking a gamble that could result in disaster.  I could waste months writing  a book that isn’t good.  It won’t be the first time I’ve re-written an entire book.  But as least if that is what I have to do, I’ll know for sure I gave it my all.  There is no failure when you try your hardest and follow your instincts.  There’s just an opportunity for improvement.

And who knows? Maybe this is the right decision to make.  Maybe I’m choosing the best way to end my series.  Only time will tell.

And my agent. 

Wish my luck and happy Tuesday!💕