Epilogue/Postscript etc

[SisterJezabel]

I know there has been a lot of talks around prefaces, disclaimers and the like, but I have seen a few authors lately using epilogues or disclaimers almost at the end of their stories to good effect. I have a story I'm working on where two real-life things are included and both seem almost incredulous- a friend who had experienced infertility for over 10 years, had a child through IVF and then had their last embryo implanted and ended up with triplets- identical twins and a further baby, either initial embryo being from the one implanted or one formed by the couple around implantation. The doctor said to them that it was a 1:1,000,000 occurrence, but there is literature about it. The other was a colleague who went to have her IUD replaced but forgot to pick up the new one from the pharmacy to have it implanted so the doctor removed the old one and made an appointment for a few weeks time to implant the new one and she forgot about the appointment and having the initial IUD removed!

Perhaps if I include a disclaimer of sorts at the end of the work to explain what might otherwise seem incredulous might stop some of the comments focussing on the improbable, or even a general line at the end asking people to suspend disbelief in the improbable.

ANyway, just some random ramblings from me!

 

[KeithD]

What is the question? Whether to do it? (Sure, why not?) Or how to mark it? (It falls in the realm of an editorial note. I'd put square brackets: [ open and ] close around it. It would usually start with "Note:")

 

[ElectricBlue]

I must write in different categories, or no one reads my stories, but I never get the type of comments you're alluding to. And it's not as if I write "believable" stuff all the time.

In terms of disclaimers though - if you need to defend yourself against the lowest common denominator, aren't you just reducing yourself to their level?

A fool is a fool = Delete Comment in my world .

 

[JGittes]

Do your stories generate comments where the reader is critical of a plot point because it is unbelievable?

I've had two such comments, and didn't know what to say about them. One reader found it impossible to believe a female character would call her vulva, a cunt. The character was very loosely based on a woman who did just that, and it was not the least significant reason we married. The other was an objection to the likelihood of a specific sex act as the culmination of a mother son incest story. It's my story, my fantasy as it were, and since the whole thing was unlikely, I'll end it as I want. As Simon Doom, and others, frequently comment, they object to that yet accept the basics of the incest story. Go figure.

To the specifics of your question. Your short description of the two situations created a completely believable context for scenes involving those characters. What I'm trying to say is that you could easily craft all the believability you need directly into the story itself, without the need for a separate epilogue or postscript.

 

[sirhugs]

I agree that not strictly necessary, but if you feel the need, a short disclaimer about the triplets would be fine- but I would go along the lines of "there is medical literature to support the possibility" rather than "based on true events". the forgetting the IUD appointment is to me too plausible to need defence.

 

[SisterJezabel]

Thanks folks I didn't really ask a question in the end. I don't like the idea of disclaimers at the start of a story so not sure why I'd put one at the end.

 

[ArdentHemingway]

I'd say leave it out and only explain if anyone mentions it.
I have written "author's notes" for a few of my stories, but decided not to include them when I submitted them for publishing. I suppose I can add them as comments later if warranted.

One proofreader said the notes were funny, but not necessary.

As to comments by others, I read them, I never delete them no matter how absurd -- they reflect more poorly on the commenter than on me and my work.
I think the old Hollywood adage "never read your press" may be of benefit.

 

[yibala2]

What I'm trying to say is that you could easily craft all the believability you need directly into the story itself, without the need for a separate epilogue or postscript.

Looks like the OP has her answer, but the question is an thought-provoking one, and I agree with JGittes. Whatever could be said in a postscript or disclaimer could be so much more effectively woven into the narrative. The simplest and most uninteresting way would be to have a doctor character say 'this is one in a million, but it has happened.'

IMO some readers have difficulty understanding the relationship between a good story and 'real life'. Even stories based on actual events are dramatized or edited to make them better stories. Stories are not real life. They are our language for understanding and making sense of real life. To that end, they have to be internally consistent and logical, but they do not ever have to be 'real'.

If readers don't understand this, I see no reason to encourage their misunderstanding.

-Yib

 

[BiscuitHammer]

I have Author's Notes at the end of every chapter, to talk about certain things in my story, to mock fascists and incels and the like. I've also decided to have some fun and have my characters in the story take over and speak to the reader about things that happened in that chapter.

Yes, yes, it breaks the Fourth Wall and that gives some people fuckheug raeg, but the response has generally been overwhelmingly positive. If people are still reading my stories, I figure they're invested enough in them that they're not just simple strokers to fap or shlick away to. They're in it for the story. So my Author's Notes allow me to talk to them.

I'm big on epilogues and stingers. I've also really gotten into using cold openings, often of a humorous nature. My epilogues often set up something that will happen in the next chapter.

My writing style is very predictable this way. My almost standard format for my Alexaverse stories is: cold opening- disclaimer- story- Author's Notes- epilogue/teaser. I'm enjoying it, since it lays out for me what will happen. It makes my writing easier to have a predictable structure.

 

[KeithD]

Yes, yes, it breaks the Fourth Wall

It's not really breaking the fourth wall if you provide it as a clearly separated editorial note.

On the issue of comments questioning believability, I find that what readers question in my stories may have been the only actual fact in the story. I have a story here about a newly wed Amish couple who go on a cruise and let it all hang out while on the cruise. A commenter said the story wasn't believable because Amish don't go on cruises or cavort, when observing this actually having happened was the whole inspiration of writing the story.

 

[ArdentHemingway]

There is no fourth wall.

 

[Voboy]

I stick a postscript into my contest entries, very short, usually some variation on "thanks for reading, make sure you check out all the entries and vote for your favorites." My prologues are usually designed to place that story into my little universe, so that my few loyal readers can know where it fits in and where to find more stories about the characters they might like.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Aren't Epilogues just a way to wrap up the story with ends to any plot hangers. Like Dragnet used to do... at the end they told you what the criminal was found guilty of and how long of a sentence they got. I've seen other TV shows and movies use it this way. Finish the story kind of thing.

Postscripts are for adding things at the end that should have been addressed in the story. Postscripts came about when people started writing letters to each other. I don't think I have ever seen it called that anywhere else.

If it's an author explaining things in the story, then it is an editorial note, not an epilogue or postscript.

Now tell me I'm wrong.

 

[KeithD]

Yes, epilogues are integral to the story. Explanatory material is called an editorial note.

 

[tenyari]

Digging up this OLD thread rather than post a new one of the exact same title and topic...

So... Do I write this epilogue where I wrote it, put it in a different story in the series, write it as a whole story of it's own, or leave a reader hanging?

I'm writing a semi sci-fi story. Suspiciously human like Aliens land as refugees in the modern day and get into some silly erotic fun with the locals - the stories are about one such alien's romantic journey. There've been a lot of TV shows with this premise but they almost always take a dark turn with either the aliens up to no good or the humans abusing them or both. I wanted to instead take the premise and use it for erotic comedy - everybody likes the aliens, who are a little too horny for their own good.


Story 1: stuff happens - this story is heavy on 'setting backstory' so I'm likely to put it out as 'volume 3: the prelude'. Then an Epilogue explains how the series universe evolves over time (the transition from present day to a sci-fi future).

Story 2: stuff happens - the main 'story'. Then an Epilogue explains how the character's relationship evolves over time, and ends noting a descendant of one of the main characters who is to be the protagonist in Stories 4 and 5.

Story 3: stuff happens that is basically a 'non-sequitur' to the events of stories 1-2 + epilogue. But happens after story 2 and before the epilogue and involves the characters of story 2.

Story 4: stuff happens a century later with a grandchild to form a 'setup' for future drama
Story 5: that grandchild's main story.

All a setup so I can later write random episodic stories about the characters in Stories 2 and 3 that will not have much relation to each other. And sometimes when in the mood, jump forward and dip my toes into the 'future sci fi setting' of the story 5 character.

If this was a TV show, Stories 1-2 would be a series. Story 3 would be the holiday special where the cast does something outside the main plot. And Stories 4-5 are the spin-off. Story 4 having been the 'pilot' to get the network to buy the show.

Is that Epilogue for story 2 in the wrong place?
I'm debating whether or not I should put it after story 3.

- On the one hand, Story 3 is episodic and if I do write more, could easily be 'passed over' by a reader.
- On the other hand Story 3 takes place before Story 2's Epilogue, and will get posted at the same time.

Presently the "Epilogue" is 2,111 words out of a 19,080 word story. But it's in editing so those word counts could change.


(Currently I've written 1, 2, and 4, and am midway through 3 - then it all goes to editing, and story 5 will be written in the future).

The purpose of my Story 1 Epilogue is as a guide for the setting as a whole. It's that "world building" document.

The purpose of my Story 2 Epilogue however, it to be an outline for the life journey of my characters both as a guide to myself and for any reader for some reason ends up liking this stuff.

 

[EarlyMorningLight]

Digging up this OLD thread rather than post a new one of the exact same title and topic...

So... Do I write this epilogue where I wrote it, put it in a different story in the series, write it as a whole story of it's own, or leave a reader hanging?

I'm writing a semi sci-fi story. Suspiciously human like Aliens land as refugees in the modern day and get into some silly erotic fun with the locals - the stories are about one such alien's romantic journey. There've been a lot of TV shows with this premise but they almost always take a dark turn with either the aliens up to no good or the humans abusing them or both. I wanted to instead take the premise and use it for erotic comedy - everybody likes the aliens, who are a little too horny for their own good.


Story 1: stuff happens - this story is heavy on 'setting backstory' so I'm likely to put it out as 'volume 3: the prelude'. Then an Epilogue explains how the series universe evolves over time (the transition from present day to a sci-fi future).

Story 2: stuff happens - the main 'story'. Then an Epilogue explains how the character's relationship evolves over time, and ends noting a descendant of one of the main characters who is to be the protagonist in Stories 4 and 5.

Story 3: stuff happens that is basically a 'non-sequitur' to the events of stories 1-2 + epilogue. But happens after story 2 and before the epilogue and involves the characters of story 2.

Story 4: stuff happens a century later with a grandchild to form a 'setup' for future drama
Story 5: that grandchild's main story.

All a setup so I can later write random episodic stories about the characters in Stories 2 and 3 that will not have much relation to each other. And sometimes when in the mood, jump forward and dip my toes into the 'future sci fi setting' of the story 5 character.

If this was a TV show, Stories 1-2 would be a series. Story 3 would be the holiday special where the cast does something outside the main plot. And Stories 4-5 are the spin-off. Story 4 having been the 'pilot' to get the network to buy the show.

Is that Epilogue for story 2 in the wrong place?
I'm debating whether or not I should put it after story 3.

- On the one hand, Story 3 is episodic and if I do write more, could easily be 'passed over' by a reader.
- On the other hand Story 3 takes place before Story 2's Epilogue, and will get posted at the same time.

Presently the "Epilogue" is 2,111 words out of a 19,080 word story. But it's in editing so those word counts could change.


(Currently I've written 1, 2, and 4, and am midway through 3 - then it all goes to editing, and story 5 will be written in the future).

The purpose of my Story 1 Epilogue is as a guide for the setting as a whole. It's that "world building" document.

The purpose of my Story 2 Epilogue however, it to be an outline for the life journey of my characters both as a guide to myself and for any reader for some reason ends up liking this stuff.

Is there a way to incorporate the relevant details from the epilogue into story 4? Or could the epilogue work as an intro to story 4?

 

[AlinaX]

An epilogue is part of a story, and serves to tie up loose ends, give closure, and/or hint at potential other stories. It's not an author's word explaining stuff to the readers.

If you have a long series, you could make the epilogue into the final chapter. If it's a long single story, then the epilogue sits neatly at the end.

The 8th & final chapter of my Ship's Whore includes the epilogue to the series.

 

[MrPixel]

An epilogue is part of a story, and serves to tie up loose ends, give closure, and/or hint at potential other stories. It's not an author's word explaining stuff to the readers.

Okay, then what do you call author's end notes? I have such an "epilogue" of sorts in a long story I'm about to publish.

 

[AlinaX]

Author's Note
but up to you, ultimately. Some advice here:
https://www.tckpublishing.com/authors-note/

 

[XerXesXu]

Okay, then what do you call author's end notes? I have such an "epilogue" of sorts in a long story I'm about to publish.

I was taught that following the climax came the denouement, which tied up all the loose ends, often referencing the opening and showing the change that resulted after the climax. An epilogue then spoke of future events consequential to, not part of, the present story, but which could be a teaser for a future story. When you read it does it read like a setup for a story or like a list of bullet points that portend nothing?

 

[Trionyx]

I use notes at the end of a story to explain jargon, provide translations for pertinent foreign words or give additional information about a theme in or the category of the story.
However, I believe the OP’s issues could be incorporated within the story without too much difficulty.

 

[AlinaX]

I was taught that following the climax came the denouement, which tied up all the loose ends, often referencing the opening and showing the change that resulted after the climax. An epilogue then spoke of future events consequential to, not part of, the present story, but which could be a teaser for a future story. When you read it does it read like a setup for a story or like a list of bullet points that portend nothing?

Certainly it's usual for there to be a tone change and time lapse.

 

[KeithD]

Epilogues and disclaimers are two different forms. Epilogues remain in the frame of the story--and can help explain or illuminate what happened but do so within the mood of the story and, as with the story, help the reader come to the understanding him/herself. Disclaimers jerk the reader out of the story and, in my view, detract from the story in most cases.

 

[SimonDoom]

Nope. While I don't believe in universal rules regarding fiction, as a general guideline I'm opposed to the idea of epilogues and disclaimers at the end of fiction, especially short stories. A work of fiction, ESPECIALLY a short story, should end on a high, punchy note. Following that note with an epilogue or disclaimer dilutes your artistic impact. Don't do it.

If your story leaves readers dissatisfied, then perhaps there's something about the story that should be changed. Or perhaps not. Maybe you just have unreasonable readers. Don't EVER write to satisfy unreasonable readers. Ignore them.

 

[tenyari]

Is there a way to incorporate the relevant details from the epilogue into story 4? Or could the epilogue work as an intro to story 4?

Story 3 maybe, but Story 4 has no characters in common, only "set in the same universe, but a century later."

The epilogue is about what happens in the relationship that forms in story 2. I could just as easily drop the note from it that mentions the descendant. It's just 2 sentences at the very end.

Something like:
"My granddaughter was the first person to ever go to 'X'. That's a story for another time"

That is the only link between those. By the time of story 4, 100 years on, most of the story 2-3 characters are not alive anymore.

My long epilogue at the end of the second story could go after the third, or could be left out with no statement of what happens to the people.

I was taught that following the climax came the denouement, which tied up all the loose ends, often referencing the opening and showing the change that resulted after the climax.

That's kind of what I have going on. It's like the last chapters of Lord of the Rings where you see everything that happened after the Frodo on the mountain scene.

Which I mention because it's been made fun of a few times: