I started my latest WIP in November. My goal was to finish it in 9 months, just like a 'real' baby...which means I've only got 12 days remaining until the delivery. I suspect this one might be a little late, by a week or so, just like all my other kids. Not only will I be sans computer for 5 of those days (camping trip), but for me, the last 10k are as tough as the first.


Why is it the last 10,000 words on a manuscript are so hard to write??? 


- Because you know that when you type the end, the adventure is over. It's kind of like celebrating your kid's 18th birthday. You know they'll soon be out of the house, and even though there's been hard times and all-out grief, doggone if you won't miss them. This goes for kids and characters.


- The pressure is on to tie up ALL the loose ends. Did you miss one? Are you sure? It's the kind of thing that wakes you up in the middle of the night.


- Traditionally, the last several chapters are the climax, so you want to get it right. You know it's the fireworks of the whole story, so you fret over the right amount of ka-boom. Too little and the whole novel fizzles to a disappointing ending. Too much and it won't be believable.


These are the top 3 bugaboos slowing me down, making me late. Don't worry, though. There is a cure. With my first pregnancy, a wise older woman told me that eating hot fudge sundaes in the evening would move things right along. She was correct. It didn't make me go into labor any faster, but the yum factor sure took my mind off what was ailing me. 


My suggestion for making it through the last 10k of your WIP? You guessed it...hot fudge sundaes.