Never Save the Best for Last When it Comes to Writing
Put everything on the page as soon as you can and trust that you will have an even better idea in the future
Usually when I work on a new novel, I start with a Big Idea. It could be a single scene, or the reveal of the mystery, or an explosive kiss. But there’s one big moment that I feel like I write the novel around, a monumental scene that encompasses the whole story.
As I start actually doing the work of writing to that scene, however, I start to panic. I want the big moment to be really, really big. I want the reader to be on the edge of their seat, holding their breath, turning the pages to find out what happens next.
And because I want this scene to be so grand, I…wait. (Please feel free to start singing along to “Wait for It” by Hamilton now.) I delay and delay the scene, drawing it out.
In short, I add filler.
Inevitably, by the time I get to the end of the writing process, I have to cut this filler out. I’m letting my characters spin their wheels because I’m worried that once they hit whatever this big moment is — whether it’s a kiss, a solution, or an explosion — once that happens, what else will have to offer the reader?
Turns out, a lot.
The thing is, you need to learn to have faith in yourself and your own writing process. Once you do, drafting a whole novel, and then editing it, becomes much, much simpler.
In general, not only should you not save the biggest moments of your story for last, you should have them happen as soon as you possible can.
And yeah, this may mean that I’ve just wrecked your whole outline.
But the thing is, good writing means not holding back. It means pushing your characters to the extreme — not just that one time for that one big moment, but at every chance you reasonably can.
If you’re writing a murder mystery, don’t drag out the reveal of the body. Hit me with it as soon as you can — and then also make your character as smart as they possibly can be to solve the mystery. The mystery should never hinge on your character simply being too oblivious to ask the same question your reader has already started to wonder about.
If you’re writing a thriller, don’t delay introducing the villain. Ramp up the tension. Go to eleven as soon as you can — trust me, you’ll find a way to go even further as you write more. Don’t fake out the reader with false starts; put me in the action.
If you’re writing a sci fi, get me on the new planet. If you’re writing fantasy, toss me to a dragon. If you’re writing romance, I want to see a steamy scene as soon as possible — even if it’s longing rather than physical.
The point is, any time you find yourself delaying the big scenes of your novel, the stuff you’re excited to write…you’re doing yourself a disservice. Don’t save the best for last. Put it on the page right now, and trust that you’ll find something even better before you write “The End.”
