Surprise Ending

Pages from my Novel (in progress)

Fussing over the final chapter of my novel, I find myself unable to walk away from these characters.  Technically, they’re just ideas and words on a page.  But, somewhere along the line, the story evolved.  It separated from me and became its own being.  It was no longer mine.  Yet, the umbilical, still intact, links me to each person, place, and scene.  Their world is now mine. 

I worry about severing this miraculous connection between author and novel.  Writing this book has served a vital purpose in my life.  It’s the reason that, in spite of being a self-professed night owl, I get up at 5:30 a.m. each day.  I do it seven days a week, eager to hit the laptop and bang out a few more pages.

All bookworms love the escape of being somebody else for a while.  Imagination fills in the visual details of the people and places.  You can stop anytime and pick up where you left off later.  I love reading on long car rides and plane trips.   But, my favorite reading spot is tucked in bed lying on my stomach.  I don’t know why, it just feels good.  

There are books I’ve read that I so thoroughly enjoyed I was left wanting more.  Dean Koontz’ book “Watchers” is one.  The relationship between the lead character and his super-intelligent dog was brilliant.  His more recent title “Breathless” was similar, but didn’t feel the same.  Both are great reads.  Still, I wish he’d write a sequel to Watchers.  I miss the dog. 

Soon, I’ll be homesick for the newfound friends of my first novel.  For now, I’m savoring every word. 

There's always a sequel, right?