Which is harder to write: a novel’s beginning or its ending? Utsudo used to think beginnings were harder, but now believes endings are, because how well you wrap things up affects the work’s completeness and lingering impact. Beginners who get stuck on the opening usually have too many ideas plus perfectionism. In fact, the same scene can open in many different ways, so write boldly first and polish it later.

Translated from Utsudo’s original Chinese column.

Every time this question comes up, there are two camps. I used to think the beginning was harder, but now I think the ending is, because how well you wrap things up affects the work’s completeness and lingering impression.

Why are endings harder?

In the beginning I only wrote long series—at least four volumes, up to ten. Used to big structures, I loved planting foreshadowing everywhere. Sometimes something planted in volume one wasn’t revealed until several volumes later. I suspect readers had long forgotten it.

Okay, to be honest, sometimes even I forgot XD

Later, I started practicing standalone novels to enter contests. All the techniques I relied on for big structures had to be reshuffled, because the pacing is completely different.

So my early standalones sometimes ended a bit hastily—I had to hit the word count and wrap up at the same time, and my skills weren’t enough to do it well. Now I’m very comfortable with the standalone format, so I’m much happier with my endings.

Should you outline before writing a novel?

By the way, when I wrote long series early on, I didn’t outline at all. I had a few key characters in mind, some events, the beginning and the ending, and then I started writing. For me, that kept the work as flexible as possible while stopping it from drifting off into outer space and never coming back.

Later, when I began working with publishers, I had to show them a plan first—they also worry about authors missing deadlines. That’s when I started writing outlines and character sheets before writing. Honestly, at first I had no idea what to do. Being restrained after getting used to freedom felt awful.

Luckily, after doing it a few times I got the knack and gradually got comfortable.

Basically, if I write an outline, I follow at least 80% of it. The remaining 20% is flexible space for sudden inspiration—when I realize connecting things a certain way would improve the plot, or I want to write a particular scene.

I also know authors who write out their outlines and character sheets in as much detail as possible, then just refer to the outline and finish the book quickly. I really admire that type. The prep takes longer, but once they start writing they’re so fast that I once wondered if they were a printer (X

But I know I can’t write that formulaically, so I can only admire them from afar.

There are countless ways to write. Choosing what suits you is what matters.

What if you’re stuck on your novel’s opening?

I believe many beginners get stuck at the start. They have so many ideas but don’t know how to begin. Actually, that’s precisely because they have too many ideas, plus perfectionism, feeling that the first line determines success or failure—so they tie themselves up.

Honestly, when I used to discuss manuscripts with publishers, the same manuscript and the same scene could open in many different versions. In other words, the opening matters, but creating is very free. You can write down the first image and scene that come to mind, and after writing a large chunk—or even finishing—go back and revise the opening. By then you’ll definitely know better how to make it compelling.

A manuscript can be polished slowly. What matters is the process of creating the story—the time spent carefully refining and planning along the way is incredibly precious.

Write boldly. Only by taking the first step can anything follow.

Anyway, at worst it’s just the you of a few months later who suffers during revision, hahaha (gets kicked)

But no matter what, as long as you keep writing and reflecting, you will definitely improve.

One day you’ll intuitively write openings that need no revision. So what are you waiting for? Go write your story!

FAQ

Further reading

• Previous: Hey! I Heard You’re a Writer on Ghost Island #110: Stop Writing Play-by-Play Filler!
• Start from the beginning: Hey! I Heard You’re a Writer on Ghost Island #01: Utsudo’s Debut — A Road to the Dream Covered in Frost
• Utsudo’s books

About the author

Utsudo is a Taiwanese light novelist and novelist VTuber with more than ten years in the industry and 40 commercially published print books. Her novel 《遺失的情書》 received a 2022 Ministry of Culture youth creative award. The 《嘿！聽說妳在鬼島當作家》 series records her experiences as a novelist in Taiwan.