Hello Everyone,
It is the first Wednesday of the month, and IWSG Time.
IWSG is a writers' support group created and led by Alex Cavanaugh. It is a big help to many of us who do not mind sharing our insecurities, our successes or giving encouragement and help to others.
So, if you are interested and would like to join, the link below will lead you directly to us:
My report:
Still Outstanding
Glimmer Train: Very Short Fiction
The Second to Last of Anything Syndrome by Pat Garcia
The second to the last chapter of a novel, or the second to last paragraph of a short story or a piece of flash fiction or the second to last verse of a poem gives me severe headaches. My mind goes blank, and I shut down. I sit at my desk asking myself why I even started writing, as I go through my mood swings.
Beginnings don’t phase me. Neither do the middle passages. I confess that even the endings don’t give me headaches. It could be because I usually write the conclusion of anything I am going to write first, and then I move back to writing the beginning. But that the way I read. I start reading books by other authors in the last chapter, and then I go back and read the book or the poem, or the short story, or flash fiction from the beginning.
I have never given it much thought as to why I do that. I just do it.
I haven‘t figured out any solutions to deal with this queer syndrome of second to last of anything. But again, I have to be honest and say that I haven’t really looked for any solutions. I believe everyone has quirks that no one can iron out, so I face it and deal with it every time I write, and that is A-Okay with me.
Wishing all of you a lovely month of April.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat Garcia
You're right about knowing the ending right away. We should know how the story will conclude before we even begin!
ReplyDeleteYou're right that we can't solve all our challenges and have to work them out as we go. My biggest challenge is the first chapter. Glad it's not a struggle for you.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting that you write and read starting from the end. That doesn't decrease your enjoyment of the reading experience if you read that last chapter first? I think your style of last first means that you trade a writer's block at the beginning for a block toward the end. Or maybe it's fatigue? I know that in swimming races, the third fourth of the race is the hardest because that's when I'm most tired and I don't have the excitement of almost being at the finish further in the race.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog.
ReplyDeleteI never considered that writing the second to last thing could be a difficulty. I'm also amused to learn that you read and write by starting with the end. I've done that a few times with writing, but never with reading. I think it would spoil it for me, but it sounds like a unique approach I might try just once to see how it affects me.
All the best with your submission.
You actually made me smile with this post. You're so right that we all have our quirky bits. I can relate to the "2nd to the last" syndrome. My mom always reads the end first, too. In her mind, if she isn't going to like the ending she doesn't want to invest her precious time in reading the story! It's always a pleasure to have you come by my blog! Thanks for commenting!
ReplyDeleteYou're not the first person today that says those give them trouble.
ReplyDeleteI love your attitude, Pat. You must be true to yourself, what works for you. Although I find it unusual that you read (and write) the end first, if it works for you, go for it. Wishing you much success.
ReplyDeleteThis just off the top of my head... Have you considered that your work and your ending are trying to connect? They may not be perfectly aligned and that may cause you to pause. I know it would me.
ReplyDeleteI envy your ability to write the beginnings, middles, and ends so easily though. :-)
Anna from elements of emaginette
That's what I like about romance fiction: I know that, no matter how bleak it seems in the middle, it'll all work out in the end. Considering how awful people are being to each other these days, it's good to know that love will win out in the end--without having to peek at the final chapter.
ReplyDeleteIt is the middle for me, but I need help with it all sometimes. Happy IWSG and ((HUGS))
ReplyDeleteThat is a peculiar affliction. Unique, I think you'd say. I'm imagining these blank spaces throughout your manuscript. :-)
ReplyDeleteI kind of understand your problem. The second to the last is very important for setting up the payoff in the last. I in the middle of the second to the last on my current WIP
ReplyDeleteI usually have troubles with my endings. I'm struggling with one right now.
ReplyDeleteHey Pat, maybe Story Genius would help you!
ReplyDeleteinteresting Pat ... I've never done that :)
ReplyDeleteWhat I liked about your post is how you recognize what challenges you most and how you accept this second-to-the-last syndrome as part of your writing process. I wish this block wouldn't come with a headache and celebrate your unique approach as you are still writing and continuing to dream those stories into reality. Have a great month ahead!
ReplyDeleteSo true about a writer's quirks. I love how you've accepted yours as part of your process. Too often, writers get caught up in trying to do things like "everyone else" or the "right way." Problem is, there is no right way, and many paths to take.
ReplyDelete