Alternate Endings

[SEVERUSMAX]

In trying to finish certain stories whose endings have eluded me, I have considered the possibility of alternate endings. Does anyone have suggestions about that idea?

 

[CharleyH]

In trying to finish certain stories whose endings have eluded me, I have considered the possibility of alternate endings. Does anyone have suggestions about that idea?

What is an alternate ending and as opposed to what? It's a good question as long as you're not looking for answers to HOW to end your story. Can you be more specific in a nutshell?

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

What is an alternate ending and as opposed to what? It's a good question as long as you're not looking for answers to HOW to end your story. Can you be more specific in a nutshell?

I am thinking about writing a variety of endings to the same stories. A kind of look at the possibilities.

 

[Alex756]

There have been multiple stories I've done where I have redone the ending multiple times, trying for the 'right' one. Sometimes I think I still got it wrong

Writing down your ending idfeas and seeing how they are once written down is never a bad idea in my opinion

~Alex

 

[AsylumSeeker]

Endings...AHHHH! (Pulling hair out - if I had any)

Interesting concept about multiple endings. My only thought is this: Many times I write a story with the intention that it be a stand-alone thing, but then readers ask for a sequel. And so I indulge them. Therefore, where do you pick up the sequel when you have multiple endings?

I confess that I get excited about posting. When I get near the end of a story I'm so anxious to move on to something new that I tend to rush the ending, which has earned me the ire of some readers in some cases. I have a story sequel I'm writing now and I decided to post an outline and give the masses a chance to tell me what they want. Not sure if it will work.

But the fact that you ask the question means that you take pride in what you do. God bless and good luck.

 

[Munachi]

hm... i think writing alternate endings to a story can be quite interesting - but it should be done for more reason than just not being able to decide for one ending... in some cases I guess it is done to show how little changes in someone's action can lead to completely different outcome, or also to have a real vs. an idealistic ending, or similar things... but in such cases these ends should probably be thought through very thouroughly... my opinion anyway... but it can be very good if done well...

 

[Deadwood]

I have written multiple-ending stories as you call it. Myself I call it an Interactive Story, where thanks to digital documents, links can be made right on the screen to take the reader in any direction they choose.

The only problem I have found with this approach is the amount of time invested. Because you have to write so many different scenerios, you end up with ONE story with a lot of time invested in it.

I would like to write more of these kinds of stories, but while the concept sounds good, the time factor is really discouraging. That does not mean I am not discouraging you from trying. The end result is fun for the reader.

 

[FanOfSloppy]

Sounds like one of those "Pick Your Path" books, only for adults. Hrm...

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

That's one way to look at it.

 

[Deadwood]

Here is an Interactive story, at least what I am referring to. The great thing about digitally composed document programs is that you can add in hyperlinks anywhere in the story, not just on the end. That really adds a lot of options to the story, but as I said, it is super time consuming.

Interactive Story

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

Neato, thanks.