The best part of the book.

I'm not going to start this post off with an apology. I do it all the time so I don't feel so guilty about the length between one blog post to the next. This time I haven't blogged for ages because I'm writing. Yep, you heard right. Quitting the crappy day job has certainly worked for my creativity and lessened the time constraints. So all this writing brings me to this question; What is your favourite part of a book?

Some say it's the beginning when you get to meet the heroine and hero and make your judgments, enjoy the thrill of their ride, lose yourself in their world. Others say it's the ending with the guaranteed happily ever after required of a good romance. Then there are other genres like fantasy where the worst part of the book is the end because it either means the end of that world or the interminable wait for the next book (I have to agree there! Robin Hobb needs to write quicker!). For me as a reader, the middle is my favourite part. It's the time when all the introductions have been made and the scene is set and they're off and racing. This is the time where the obstacles rear their heads, the twists get ready to make their turns and the action keeps you hooked. For me as a writer, this is the suckiest part. Ever heard of a sagging middle? It's not around your waist and you can't fix it with diet and exercise. It's the part of the book where if you don't write it right, the ass falls out of it and you lose the reader. Absolutely not a good way to end up!

My favourite part as an author is the ending. This is where all the little pieces of string (plot) get tied together in a neat little bow and you go "ahhh" or "ohhh" over the whole package. Or at least you should. This is also usually my fastest writing stage because I know what's going to happen and now I know how to get there. At the beginning when I'm world building or bringing in the characters, it's hard. It's hard to keep their characteristics and names straight. It's hard to avoid info dumping and back story deluges. I do use a chart of sorts until I get a feel for the characters and how they all look in my head. I don't do collages and probably never will but the chart is essential.

Anyway, by the time I get to the end, I know who she is inside and out, I know who he is and what he has to do to get her. All I have to do is make sure it's believable and satisfying and voila! The story is done. Well, except for the million rounds of edits, the word fillers and the making sure everything is tied up and not left flapping in the breeze. So this is where I'm at at the moment with my Courtesan story and I love it! You want to know why? Because the next story has me soooooo excited that I keep wanting to run off and write that one but I can't. You have to finish a book to submit a book and a half done book will never get read. So that's it for me. I have to go and get to the end so I can do a round of edits and then put it away for a few months while I get to the next one. I hope you're going to love it too! It involves a nobleman, a pirate's daughter and a mad dash to Gretna...

Oh and I nearly forgot. I'm only 80 odd visitors away from the magical 2000 hits to the site so when I get there, there'll be another contest! Last time I gave away Haighs Chocolate and books and all sorts so pass the good word for me and I'll get some stuff ready for you =)