“If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story.”--Orson Welles
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| Bellingham Bay at the End of the Day |
A warm welcome to all the new readers here, and "hi" to the regulars. Fridays are the day I talk about the most interesting thing I've learned about writing during the week. Or something I'm struggling with. This week it's endings. A struggle.
It's been a while since I've written the end of a story and even though it's very satisfying to finish a draft, somehow I forgot how difficult it is to let go. It's like when I'm devouring a fabulous book and I get to the last chapter and force myself to slow down so I can savor it, make those last bites last a little longer.
It's been a while since I've written the end of a story and even though it's very satisfying to finish a draft, somehow I forgot how difficult it is to let go. It's like when I'm devouring a fabulous book and I get to the last chapter and force myself to slow down so I can savor it, make those last bites last a little longer.
Right now I'm about three scenes from the end of my historical YA, and though I'm eager to revise this one, the words are coming out painfully slow.
Why am I reluctant to finish this story? Because it hurts to walk away from these characters, not knowing what will happen to them when I write THE END. Because this story doesn't end for a long time. And though Mr. Welles is right and I'm stopping the story in a happy place, I know that worse times lie ahead for these kids. Some of them may not survive. I'm going to miss them.
What about you? Are endings hard? Why?
Why am I reluctant to finish this story? Because it hurts to walk away from these characters, not knowing what will happen to them when I write THE END. Because this story doesn't end for a long time. And though Mr. Welles is right and I'm stopping the story in a happy place, I know that worse times lie ahead for these kids. Some of them may not survive. I'm going to miss them.
What about you? Are endings hard? Why?
I know what you mean. When I finished my last book, I stumbled around in a daze for about an hour. It still haunts me. It was so hard to write those last words, not because I couldn't think of them, but because I wasn't ready to say them.
ReplyDeleteI agree that endings are hard. And I always write "Happy if not ecstatic for now" endings, if for no other reason than to protect my own heart. Once I wrote a seriously unhappy ending, and neither I nor my beta readers could stand the pain.
ReplyDeleteI don't care what anyone says, if an ending isn't happy, it should at least be hopeful. But I haven't written an ending yet, so I can't speak to your anxiety. I know you'll do it justice, though. Beautiful Photo!!!!
ReplyDeleteI find endings challenging because I feel like I'm trying to wrestle all these loose ends into something that makes sense. Usually, I wind up rewriting them several times before I get them right. I do a enjoy a good happy ending, but I also love am ambiguous ending that makes me think.
ReplyDeleteYes, endings are very hard. I tend to rush them so I don't delay the inevitable. The characters will always live on in your mind, though.
ReplyDeleteGreat talking with you yesterday. Love this campaign.
I've only written a couple of endings. Both times I had the perfect last line and ended up rushing everything to get there, then regretting it.
ReplyDeleteAngelina, I felt the very same way when I finished my YA novel early this summer. Ending (and saying goodbye) on a happy note, is one way to get through it. Don't worry, when you type (or recite in your mind!) the words "the end," you'll feel a wealth of relief wash over you. Ending each story will have various effects on an author. As authors, we invest so much of US in our writing, an ending will always feel bittersweet. Hang in there, and I'm rooting for you!
ReplyDeleteAnd, who's to say you can't revisit these particular characters, yet again, in a sequel?
When I finished my SF novel earlier this year, I left the ending hanging a bit; and since I'd gotten into a rhythm of writing for the past few months, it was a bit of a shock not to have to write the next day. And, like, the whole week after that.
ReplyDeleteC.L. is me, Candy! I'm not sure why Google is pulling my feed from my yoga blog! Sorry! :))
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement everyone! I'm still plodding along toward the end. Closer today. Maybe I'll get there by the end of the month. We'll see.
ReplyDeleteEndings are hard for me just because I'm always afraid it will feel too abrupt. I keep adding things, and then it gets too long and drawn out. I'm still learning to find the balance.
ReplyDeleteI found you through the Campaign, so it's nice to meet you!
Sometimes yes and sometimes no. I put off writing the ending of one of my YA novels because I just didn't want to say goodbye to the MC. I came to really love her character. But other manuscripts feel good to complete. Not because I love the characters any less, but because it feels good to finish telling their stories and give them some closure.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Jeigh. Glad you joined. The ever elusive place of balance, something we all strive to for.
ReplyDeleteKelly, this one will definitely feel good to complete, but I will miss these characters so much.
I can so relate to this. I tend to fall in love with my characters, or at least become their biggest cheerleader. When I finish their story, it's like sending my kids off to college all over again.
ReplyDeleteI agree - endings are hard not only bc I have to leave that world, but also bc I now have to come up with another concept. As a writer, I must keep going and it can take a while to come up with another story idea/setting/characters that I'm excited to create. That's the worst part of writing for me - the between-project part.
ReplyDeleteEndings can be exhilarating, once you get there... getting there is the hard part for me.
ReplyDeleteThe first novel I ever attempted writing hit 219k words before I typed THE END. I didn't want to finish it and kept dragging it out. Yup, endings are difficult, but I love them now.
ReplyDelete