“How does it end?” A writer friend asked me that question recently after I told him a bit about the story I have started writing. His question stopped me. I’ve been having fun with this story, basically letting it write itself. I’ve been a “Pantser.” (Writing by the seat of my pants.) But I want this story to be a suspense, a story where the reader keeps turning the pages to see what happens next. I want the reader to care what happens to the characters, at least some of the characters. I want direction to the story.

So how does it end? What happens in the story to take what I have written so far to a satisfying conclusion?

I guess I’m not a pantser. I need a plot. I not only need to go back to the drawing board, I need to create a drawing board. So far I have five characters who will play important roles in this story. Time for me to get to know these characters. Time to figure out their pasts, their goals, and why they will do whatever I decide to have them do in the story.

Guess what I’ll be doing this week.