![\"File:Chicago](\"https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/32cd98eb-bfd1-461b-be2a-56bcf984ae10_800x466.jpeg\")
<\/figure>Let\u2019s get the most important part out of the way: I love writing. Yes, I complain about it all the time, but only because that\u2019s what writers do. My works-in-progress list is ever-increasing because I can be doing something as simple as listening to a podcast while unloading the dishwasher and get an idea for a novel or poem. The problem, though, is having an idea in fiction is nothing<\/a>. Beginnings are great\u2014writing a couple intro paragraphs, sketching out a character arc, and choosing a nice setting ripe with lush details is maybe my favorite part. It\u2019s finishing things that\u2019s tough. Partially because you have to iron out stubborn folds that seem determined to become creases, but mostly because after months and months and probably years of work, the finishing touches feel like the heaviest lifting. <\/p> Let\u2019s get the most important part out of the way: I want to finish my books and see them in print. Yes, you are a writer if you haven\u2019t published or don\u2019t publish, but one normie thing about me is I want that traditional sort of validation (tradvalidash, if you like). To see my name on a book spine. To see what some genius comes up with for a cover design (one of my great joys at Cracked<\/em> was seeing the photo\/caption choices made on articles I\u2019d spent so much time on the words looked like jelly to me). It\u2019s a lot of steps from \u201cfinished typing into this Word doc\u201d to \u201csitting on the shelf while whomever bought the book is working through their reading list.\u201d Part of those steps include showing other people your work (terrifying<\/a>), editing and re-writing your work (scarier than the Gordy scene in <\/a>Nope<\/a><\/em>), and even sending your work to total strangers in hopes of getting their approval\/convincing them to give you money for your work (YOU DON\u2019T KNOW WHAT DEATH IS<\/a>).<\/p> Let\u2019s get the most important part out of the way: manuscripts\/projects are finishable. Yes, we need to tie this back to the weather in order to justify that opening paragraph. I was wrong\u2014or at least only partially right\u2014when I was blaming stress or bad moods on weather or taxes<\/a> the last few months. And I\u2019ve been doing that! Exaggerating allergies, whining about needing a jacket, but now that the good weather is here<\/a>? <\/p> Let\u2019s get the most important part out of the way: I\u2019ve still got two manuscripts that are like 80% there, two things I\u2019ve been working on for years<\/em> and can finally see a finish line. Like said tho: it\u2019s finishing that last 20% that\u2019s tough. Partially because writing is hard, partially because \u201cI\u2019m working on something\u201d feels safer sometimes than \u201cI made a thing, wanna check it out?\u201d<\/p> Sorry you got an email, <\/p> Chris<\/p>![\"File:A](\"https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/2c0005a8-d6c8-42db-949d-9d42b4579cdb_800x600.jpeg\")
<\/figure>![\"File:Jellyfish](\"https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/b7f00a7b-b688-4dba-be12-22965fa26b23_800x570.jpeg\")
<\/figure>![\"File:Bathing](\"https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/24aa0fef-8915-4fcc-9144-f175e4bee8a8_800x506.jpeg\")
<\/figure>