The long slide home
Published: November 28, 2003
When I first started writing, my kids were always eager for me to get to the "banana peel" of whatever book was currently in process. They were looking for some sign that I was on the downhill side of the writing curve because they knew, once the book was finished, I'd pull my nose out of the computer and we'd have an "end-of-book" celebration.
So, what is the "banana peel"? It's the point in the novel where, regardless of how late it is and whether or not the reader has to go to work the next morning, he or she will finish the book before putting it down and going to bed. It's the point in the story where all the action comes together--where the converging paths of good guys and bad guys meet up for the crashing climax.
Beginning the process of writing a book--any book--is really an act of faith. Having performed this solitary task some 30 times now, I've developed the following three-part strategy to help me make that long, lonesome trek from beginning to end.
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