Wednesday, September 23, 2009

I’m literally at the very end.

Within five pages? I have the text mostly written and I'm just working on the nit-picky-ness of order. There is a lot happening all at once. I like to imagine that it is like the final scene of A Confederacy of Dunces. Although it has been so long since I read that book, I only have the impression of the scene I’m thinking of and I’m not quite sure it actually is at the end. But the characters in my book are lining up to create an action-packed, slapstick-y sequence. I have to find my way through some natural feeling explanations, let the readers have a little aha here and there, and get to a satisfactory end. Right about now(read that as: I am at a total loss as to what to do next) is when I like to make lists and draw and go to the co op and cook. I want to yell at my kids and throw away all my husband’s grandmother’s tea cups and wander in the garden and sit on the couch and read and have a snack and blog and re-read my manuscript and take a walk by the lake and vacuum all at the same time.
As always(gonna try and write it out),
Tina

4 comments:

Paul Michael Murphy said...

I suck at endings. I usually end up rereading the thing over and over again hoping inspiration will finally strike when I get to the last five unsatisfactory pages.

The En

Tina Lee said...

Ha, I have yet to see evidence of that. Perhaps you should approach the end like a blog post. You seem to be inspired on your blog all the time. (I look forward to reading to reading your manuscript when your ready, perhaps then I will believe you suck at endings?)

Karlene said...

almost to the end -how exciting. i love reading about your process - thanks for blogging about it so i can have a better view into tina the writer. sending you lots of ending energy ...

Tina Lee said...

Thanks for commenting, Karlene. Sorry for the delay in my response--I have been goofing off in San Diego. But you energy must have worked, this version of the book is done!!!--now I just have to smooth it out. (I wonder how long that takes)

I miss you!