By Liz, thawing out after a long week of freezing in the northeast!
I’m going to tell you all a little secret.
I should be done with my book by now.
Now, if you’ve met me, you know this is nothing new. I’m usually a little behind and racing to finish as my deadline hovers over me like a guillotine and the panic escalates just a bit more every day.
But this one in particular has really been tripping me up.
So I was getting close to the end and I couldn’t figure out why I couldn’t finish it. As I was revising a scene that had a very minor character in it – after I had already deleted the scene and then put it back–this character suddenly took over.
They started doing things that I never expected. They started acting and saying things that I hadn’t imagined. And it suddenly clicked. This was my killer. Not the poor, innocent person I’d been pinning the murder on all along.
And it was the reason why I was struggling to finish the book the way I had laid it out.
This is the magic of writing. It’s annoying, sure. And the book really needs to be done, but now I have to go back and do some surgery on it. But it’s going to be way better. You know how I know that? I’m excited about it again. Before that moment, I just wanted to delete the whole thing.
This is where we need to leave ourselves room. Even if you’re a plotter–or a semi-plotter–there is a gift in being able to have a roadmap, having an idea of where the book’s headed.
But also you have to leave room for the magic. And if I had rushed this book to the finish line and just plowed through the scenes the way I had laid it out, it probably wouldn’t be any good. Now, as I go back and do some more revising, I’m happier. More excited. Feeling good about putting it into the world.
And it tells me that I have to keep respecting the magic of the practice.
Keep showing up at the desk, at the notebook, at the laptop, and keep doing the thing, because eventually the thing will be amazing.
Or at least in good enough shape to turn in.
Where are you letting a little magic happen in your life? Tell me in the comments!
The Wickeds 
I agree completely, Liz! I love that kind of magic – when it happens. And we have to leave ourselves opening to it happening. I’m glad you did.
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I’m doing some “surgery” at the moment, too, Liz. A few surprises (for me!) cropped up in the final pages as well. Such fun! But now to make sure everything earlier still fits.
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This totally resonated with me – I mean, who can resist the charm of a character taking the reins, right? It’s like the story has a mind of its own. In fact I’ve shared something like this before – https://theblogera.com/the-funny-side-of-being-a-writer/
And tbh, No plans, just chasing adventure!
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It strokes me in songwriting! The little details in the lyrics. I love writing “character study songs”…little acoustic ditties about people I know. I’ll think I’m done…put the tune down for a few days… and then laugh out loud somewhere when I think of the character in a new situation, or remember something the person did. When it rhymes, I absolutely lose it and laugh!
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Liz, this has happened to me more times that I can count. I’m glad you found the real killer.
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Liz, wonderful! Your joy in the magic brought a smile and energy to me this morning. Remember, “There is always enough fairy dust. You just have to remember what drawer you left it in.” May the magic continue until “The End” lands.
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Wonderful post Liz. Yes, I always try to leave room for the magic, and usually find it by paying attention to the little things.
Glad you found your killer! Had that happen more than once.
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My sixth book got a new killer after Barb Goffman told me she guessed right away who the killer was in the editing process. The read magic was it was all laid out in the two books before and I didn’t even see it.
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I often experience the kind of magic Sherry’s describing, where you do something you didn’t expect in a book and find that the breadcrumbs to it have been there all along–laid down by your wonderful subconscious.
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Those moments in writing or in real life really are magic. Glad you’ve found it for this book. Good luck getting a successful surgery so the book can come to life.
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Your post made me smile! Glad you discovered the right killer.
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What a joyful post. It brightened up an otherwise dull day. After 30 years, our soon to be 54 year old daughter moved to be near us three years ago. We find a lot of magic together because we are both open to everything. What a blessing.
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Yes, yes… When I can’t figure why the story won’t move, I leave it alone as you said, then I put myself in a place to let the story take over. I know some friends think I am crazy (which I am), but the characters come alive if I just watch them and write what they do on their own.
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