Should I finish my books before I die?

[Lost Magic]

So I am an aspiring writer/illustrator for children. I have been studying the art of both for years, but I have this little wanting to die problem. I am closer to completing the first one (art is all done for that) and have mapped out all the story structure for the second one. I just don't know if they will ever be complete. It is just one of my last goals to get at least one published (even if I have to use a hybrid publisher). I'm doing it as something as a hobby at the moment but it would be nice to finish them before I end it. Any suggestions are welcome? Thanks!

 

[Lost in a Dream]

When it's a hobby, it makes it much easier to keep the stories going. I think it's really cool that you write and illustrate children's books like you do, even if you haven't published any of them yet, so if you're that close to having the first one finished, then I say go for it.

If you still want to die afterwards, then at least someone out there will get to enjoy your artwork after you're gone, but if you decide to stick around for a while, then maybe you can publish the second one if you feel like it. Just knowing that you were able to do something like that will probably help you to feel more at peace with whatever decision you make.

 

[SiroccoSousse]

I know some folks like the thought of having some part of them still live on in the world after their passing. If that sounds like something valuable to you then I say keep chipping away at it. For me personally, I don't like the idea of having my suicide be reliant on some pre-condition that I need to fulfill while being alive, because that makes me worry I'll use that condition as an excuse to not think seriously about my desire to CTB. I'm not saying that because I think you should feel the same way, I just want to offer a different perspective. What you do with your life (and death) is deeply personal to you and only you.

But I can't lie, I find the idea of publishing a children's book and then immediately turning around and killing yourself kind of morbid. I personally think it's funny but not everyone will see it that way.

 

[Lost Magic]

I know some folks like the thought of having some part of them still live on in the world after their passing. If that sounds like something valuable to you then I say keep chipping away at it. For me personally, I don't like the idea of having my suicide be reliant on some pre-condition that I need to fulfill while being alive, because that makes me worry I'll use that condition as an excuse to not think seriously about my desire to CTB. I'm not saying that because I think you should feel the same way, I just want to offer a different perspective. What you do with your life (and death) is deeply personal to you and only you.

But I can't lie, I find the idea of publishing a children's book and then immediately turning around and killing yourself kind of morbid. I personally think it's funny but not everyone will see it that way.

I hear you and it is kinda morbid. I never thought of it that way. Still, I want to do it on my own terms and if this is the thing that is keeping me alive right now then, I think it is worth it. At least it will give some folks something unusual to talk about lol

 

[SiroccoSousse]

I hear you and it is kinda morbid. I never thought of it that way. Still, I want to do it on my own terms and if this is the thing that is keeping me alive right now then, I think it is worth it. At least it will give some folks something unusual to talk about lol

I can definitely see it being a "fun" story people tell lmao. And if you think you want to do something with your life versus ending it immediately, I think it's worth a shot to stick around and see what happens. Who knows, maybe you'll find you'd much rather stick around for a bit longer along the way :)

 

[Euthanza]

I vote for finishing the book first, make it a legacy. There'll be another time to CTB. I wish I knew how to write story, I'm terrible at words and hardly expressing myself though love reading (adult content )

 

[Maravillosa]

My situation is like yours, @Lost Magic — I have been writing an upmarket alternate history novel since June 2018. I have written some 75,000 words (I want my finished version to be between 80,000 to 90,000 words), but I think only some 20,000 words are anywhere near what I would consider a publishable form. My novel and my 82-year-old bedbound mother with dementia keep me alive. Once my novel is published (not indie or hybrid — I can't afford the money, since I am on SSI — but probably a small publisher, though it would please me a bunch if a literary agent were to place my manuscript with a major publisher) and my mother is dead, I would feel free to ctb. I agree with @Euthanza — leave a legacy. Perhaps people will be intrigued enough by the thought of a children's book author's ctb soon after publication to write your biography. I certainly hope somebody will write my biography — I intend to be remembered by millions of people for centuries to come if I can at all help it

 

[hellispink]

I am also a writer. I had a lot of content and have been developing my skills and stories throughout all these years. Writing for me is everything. I thought about finishing them and publishing them before leaving… but I just cannot do this anymore due to horrible living circumstances. I think that if you are able to and focus on it, it can be a goal before leaving.

 

[Lost Magic]

Thanks for sharing everybody. It was nice to hear everybody's input and I wish the writers and creators well on their work. It's not easy trying to get through it, though, with all the recurring life problems. You are all in my hearts X