Tackling the Last Chapter
Episode Summary
In this slightly unhinged episode, Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid explore the challenges of completing a novel, with Lisa sharing her current struggles with wrapping up her book’s final chapter. The duo offers practical strategies to overcome rushed endings and maintain creative momentum during the homestretch of writing.
Guest Bio
This episode features no guest—just Beth and Lisa sharing a spontaneous conversation.
Key Discussion Points
The Struggles of Finishing a Novel
Lisa humorously details her repeated declarations of being on her "last chapter," only to discover yet another chapter is needed. She emphasizes the difficulty of staying focused and disciplined while trying to tie up loose ends in her manuscript.
Beth offers a contrasting perspective by recounting how she wrote the last chapter of her first book before drafting the rest. This approach, she explains, provided a clear endpoint and helped maintain story pacing. While not for everyone, this strategy could work for writers who visualize their endings clearly.
Why Rushed Endings Fall Flat
Both hosts stress the importance of pacing in the final chapters. A rushed conclusion can leave readers feeling dissatisfied, as loose threads and poorly explained events undermine the story’s emotional impact.
Beth shares a cautionary tale of reading a book with a fantastic buildup, only to feel abandoned when the author hurried through the ending. This anecdote highlights how critical it is for writers to take their time and ensure the conclusion feels earned.
Tips to Maintain Momentum
Lisa explains how she combats the overwhelming urge to rush by setting daily word count goals and taking regular breaks. She credits her critique partner’s encouragement as a significant motivator to push through to the finish line.
Beth agrees and suggests putting the manuscript aside for a while to regain enthusiasm. Returning with fresh eyes often allows writers to rediscover the strengths in their work, which can make tackling the final chapters feel more manageable.
The Emotional Side of Writing
The hosts delve into the emotional toll of writing, especially when it comes to receiving critiques or reviews. Lisa recounts her obsessive habit of checking book reviews for her latest release, "Hart & Souls," and the sting of neutral or negative feedback.
Both Beth and Lisa agree that writers must learn to balance their desire for external validation with confidence in their craft. They encourage authors to seek constructive feedback from trusted partners and not let individual opinions shake their resolve.
Conclusion and Takeaways
Wrapping up a novel can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding parts of the writing process. Beth and Lisa remind writers to avoid the temptation of rushing the ending, as doing so can diminish the reader’s experience. Their advice? Take breaks when needed, lean on critique partners for encouragement, and approach the final chapters with care and intention.
Whether you’re stuck on your last chapter or looking for ways to keep your creativity alive, this episode is packed with relatable anecdotes and actionable tips to help you cross the finish line.
Mentioned Links
- Writers With Wrinkles Podcast Notes and Blog
- Submit your questions for the upcoming "Ask Beth and Lisa" episode on December 9th via the podcast website.
Join Beth and Lisa next time for more insights and a little ridiculousness as they navigate the world of writing and publishing!
Author
Beth McMullen is the author of the Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls series , the Lola Benko, Treasure Hunter series, and The Secret of the Storm series (Aladdin/S&S).
She is also the author of the Spy Mom series (Hyperion).
Beth lives in Northern California with her husband, kids, and very grumpy cats. She's obsessed with podcasts and might give up writing in order to have more time to listen. Could happen.
