Part 1, Section 13, How Do You Know You Are Done Summary and Analysis

Anne relies on her wit to describe how a writer can know when to stop writing. Putting an octopus to bed is how one knows it is time to be done. Just when a writer has most of the key ideas and character complete, the tone or dialogue may be flat. Similarly, and amusingly, an octopus when tucked into bed may have most of its arms under the blanket, but not all of them. Having most of the story under control, Anne contends, may be the best time to end the story. She also describes it in the following quote: "...if you also know that there is simply no more steam in the pressure cooker and that it's the very best you can do for...