How Do You Know When Your Novel Is Done? Reflections on Finishing, Memories of an Ash Covered Sky

There’s a strange kind of silence that follows the final sentence of a novel. Not relief. Not closure. Something closer to loss.

After years of writing, shaping, revising, and rewriting Memories of an Ash Covered Sky, I finally reached the point every author both dreads and dreams of: the end. But how do you know—really know—when a novel is done?

That’s the question I’ve wrestled with every day through the final stretch of all five of my novels, in particular Memories of an Ash Covered Sky.

From Idea to Characters: The Pantser's Path

I don’t outline. I don’t chart chapters in advance. I write like I’m hiking a trail I’ve never seen—just following where it leads.

That’s the pantser mentality. When I sat down to write Memories of an Ash Covered Sky, all I had was an idea: a destructive wildfire, a broken relationship, and a girl named Sky. That was it. No road map. No ending. Just a spark.

But the beauty of writing character-driven fiction—especially as a pantser—is that the story unfolds because of the people inside it. I got to know Sky by walking through her trauma with her. I met Chief Murphy Wilson through her memories, and through the moments that forced him to reckon with everything he tried to bury.

The plot evolved because they evolved. And that part? That part is fun. Pure discovery.

The Obsession of Editing

Finishing the first draft was a high. Editing it was… something else.

If you’re a writer, you know this stage: the rereading, reworking, reshaping, and rereading again. It’s obsessive. And for me, it borders on compulsive. Every chapter has to earn its place. Every paragraph has to carry weight. Every sentence has to sound right—not just to a reader, but to me. To the voice in my head that says, that’s not quite it.

I’ve spent weeks—months—on single chapters. Rewriting dialogue. Adjusting pacing. Fixing a single beat that didn’t ring true.

Because writing isn’t just storytelling. It’s translation.

I’m trying to translate feeling into language—grief, shame, love, guilt, the quiet terror of going home again. And somewhere in that process, perfection starts to feel possible. But here’s the thing: it’s not.

The Futility of Perfection — and the Blessing of a Brutal Read

The truth is, I could rewrite this book for the rest of my life. There’s always a sentence I could tighten. A moment I could clarify. A better way to express what lives in my head and heart.

But perfection in writing is a mirage. And at some point, we have to stop chasing it.

At least… that’s what I thought.

Then I gave the manuscript to my amazing cousin, author C.L. Walters. And she gently blew it the shit up. In the best possible way.

More months of editing followed. Chapters shifted. Entire arcs sharpened or softened. It was a challenging blast. Yes it was frustrating but it was exactly what the book needed.

Because the truth is: I wasn’t done. Not really.

I was close—but I was also rushing. Rushing to get it out. Rushing to call it finished. And if I had published too soon, I would have missed the depth the story needed. I’m grateful for her honesty. Her insight. Her willingness to take a red pen to something I thought was nearly final. And her gentle way of telling me, you book is shit. :-)

Also—read her book, The Trials of Imogene Sol. It's one of my all-time favorite reads.Think The Hunger Games meets Ender’s Game—at least in my amazing head. It’s smart, intense, emotional, and driven by a complex, unforgettable protagonist. Someone who would give Katniss a run for her money. Actually she'd make Katniss feel like Aaron Donald just got done giving her a sponge bath. (I have no idea what this means, but I thought it so I wrote it. Only a blog post afterall).

🎯 Author Spotlight: C.L. Walters

Recommended Read – Because great storytellers run in the family

📚 The Trials of Imogene Sol Think The Hunger Games meets Ender’s Game—only smarter, more emotionally grounded, and absolutely un-put-downable. Written by my amazing cousin, C.L. Walters, this is one of my all-time favorite reads. Complex characters. Killer world-building. Heart. Soul. Stakes. If you’re looking for your next unforgettable sci-fi escape—this is it. BTW, I don't get kickbacks, just hugs.

👉 Check it out here

Enough About CL—Back to Me Already

Letting Go of the Characters

Here’s something I wasn’t ready for: the grief that comes after finishing a book. I should have been ready because this happens with me on every novel, but I digress.

I’ve spent years with Sky Wilson and Chief Murphy Wilson. I’ve watched them hurt and heal. I’ve followed them into burning neighborhoods and silent kitchens. I’ve seen them say things they can’t take back—and wish they could.

And now, I may never write them again. Cough cough.

That realization hits hard.

Because when you write from the inside out—when your process is immersive, emotional, and personal—these characters become part of you. Letting them go feels like losing a friend. And yet, that’s part of the process too.

To finish a novel is to say goodbye.

The End is Just the Beginning—for the Reader

Memories of an Ash Covered Sky is finished. Finally. And now, it belongs to you. The reader.

You’ll bring your own experience, your own heartbreak, your own healing to the pages. And I hope it makes you ask questions of yourself. Challenges you. Maybe even lingers long after the fire dies down.

Because while I may be saying goodbye to Sky—You’re just stepping into the smoke.

Coming May 9, 2024 (Kindle Pre-Order Available Now) 👉 Check it out here

If you’ve ever struggled with grief, identity, forgiveness—or just love a suspenseful, emotional, character-driven novel—Memories of an Ash Covered Sky might be your next best read. Pre-order it now, or stay tuned for the paperback release day.