Endings

[P. B. Walker]

Hey all,

Ever have a story where you have an ending that just doesn't feel "right". I'm working on this story and the ending feels really "blah". I've been agonizing over it for a few days now and just can't come up with a good ending. Does anyone have any advice for what to do in a situation like this? Let it sit for a week or so? Keep banging your head against the wall until you crack it?

Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

- PBW

 

[Weird Harold]

Can you say what it is about the ending that isn't right or makes it blah?

If you can analyze what is wrong with it, then maybe you can figure out how to fix it.

I can't say any better without seeing the whole story, because what works for one story is just blah for another. The ending of a story should either wrap things up completely, or leave the reader wanting a sequel.

 

[P. B. Walker]

Mmmm sequel....

You just jarred something loose in my brain WH.

heheh..

Thanks,

- PBW

 

[Rhys]

Hey all,

Ever have a story where you have an ending that just doesn't feel "right".

Unfortunately...yes.
I'm getting to be a big fan of

"and then...they all died
--the end"



God knows I've read a few books that *should* have ended this
way

seriously though, I've found that if I sit on an ending for a bit something usually comes to me on how to fix it. (Unless I am in a big hurry to finish it then the above comes in handy) I've discovered this type of problem arises when I have really done
my characters well and THEY don't want it to end that way. Go back and look at what is motivating your characters and see if that helps you resolve the problem

my .02 anyway

Rhys

 

[alltherage]

In that situation i might write the ending i didn't like and then another that seems really off the wall. I would let them sit for a while and then come back to them or maybe try to combine elements of them into one ending. Somewhere in all that something would shake loose. I find i think better if i am actively involved in problem solving. Sitting and mulling just gets me deeper in the hole.

 

[P. B. Walker]

Thanks All

I solved my problem with the ending

Weird Harold mentioned a sequel and that really sparked my brain. After I had that spark, I had a new, better, improved ending written in about 10 or 15 minutes. Now I have another story idea too (i.e., chapter 2). LOL.

But Rhys and alltherage, you both gave me something to think about next time I run into this problem, which I'm pretty sure I will again.

- PBW