I told my husband the other day that I thought maybe I could publish by the end of this year. He asked me an interesting question: "How (when) do you know when you're finished?" He's watched me write, rewrite, research and rewrite again. For someone who's not a writer, this process might seem a little tedious or even questionable. For the writer, however, we understand that on-going process of development, and of finding the true path of a character, and of creating situations for that character to 'find himself.' Without this process, there could be no good development.
But his question has stuck with me. Indeed, I wonder, how will I know that I've finished this story? I have a plot (even though it changes as it grows) and I have all the characters I want or would ever need for this story. I have a conclusion.
This past month I have written less but perhaps thought more about the underlying principles about which I'm writing. I've asked myself questions and played out the scenarios to find the answers. There is a 'feeling,' if you will, of completeness in answering those questions. Is my ultimate struggle concluded? Do my characters act according to their nature and character? What changes have taken place and by what internal or external catalyst? My antagonist in this story is nebulous. And I've decided that it really IS nebulous and that it's ok. I don't need a particular character for the antagonist - the bad guy can be a trend in society or a belief system that tears people down. Hm.
So, back to the original question - when do you know the story is completed? It's sort of like asking, 'how do you know you're in love?' You just know. Seriously. And this knowledge comes from within you, not from the critics or editors, who only work with the external result. The internal cause is yours alone. And you know, the story is not complete, until it...just is.
