I just finished a manuscript and submitted it to my critique group. I admit I was in a hurry to get it done. I had family coming and lots to do. I just whipped out the end, and I was finished.

Well, I don’t need to tell you it was a lame ending. The group told me it should be fleshed out a little. The scene left them wanting. They asked to know how the characters felt. I could go on and on.

Where was my mistake? My characters had a problem to solve by the end of the book. They did that, but it was without feeling—without much thought.

What do I need to do differently? I failed to put myself into the scene. It didn’t live through my words. My readers need to be there with me. How can they when I’m not there myself?

I took some time and went back to envision the scene in great detail. I sat in my character’s place and listened to their feelings.

Then I rewrote the scene. Was it better? I’ll know after my group reads it this week.

Sloppy hurried-up writing is just that. It never pays.

Will I remember this lesson? I hope so—at least for today.

Happy writing! Christy Monson