Stories/Characters/Sequels that Don't Die

[mtnman2003]

Observing my own writings, reviewing submitted stories, I find that other authors also have recurring story lines. Or at least chapter after chapter.

My developed characters and story lines fulfill their desired tasks. Someplace, buried in the story, a line, or two jumped on the page, offering an opportunity to again pickup the primary character, and run off to another adventure. My latest character wrestles with his relationship with his mother, but asks the question if his "spinster aunt" will discover the secret. This jumped on the page without prior thought, but you all know, this will give an opportunity for another tangent story. If so desired.

Do these continuing stories make a basis for a novel? Is our darkest minds playing with our conscience? Do we want to continue with this body of work? Have we thought maybe we can pull it together for a novel? Maybe a movie in a broader context?

My question relates to the ending of a story. Do other authors walk away from story lines. Use, abuse, and move on? One, or two adventures are enough? Do characters live in the minds eye? Lurking to do more? More prowess to elicit to readers?

Have you wanted to do more? Does acceptance by the reader community influence your decision?

Esoteric questions? Does anyone consider these issues in their own story lines?

Mtn

 

[oggbashan]

I have both.

I have stories that end satisfactorily - for me - and the characters have fulfilled their task. Those I can walk away from knowing that I will not return.

I have other stories that go on, and on, and on...

My first stories posted here were part of a series that I have just picked up again. Those characters already feature in 10 stories and I have plots for another 6 - that is STORIES not Chapters.

Some of my later stories I have broken down into chapters. Apart from last year's NaNoWriMo effort the whole story despite being in x chapters is no longer than one of my original stories.

Some of my characters recur for competitions. They can do Earth Day or Valentine's Day even if I might change the names.

But some just won't lay down and die. They keep demanding that they have another part of their continuing relationship added. For those I wonder if I'll ever be free of them...

Og

 

[mtnman2003]

Hey Og

Do you want to be free of those characters?

I find that they can be fun. It is the my task to derive some novel way of getting them together, to make the scenario seem less than contrived.

Example, I have been struggling with an erotic horror story for the contest. Well, after many weeks, I reread the story again today for an edit. It seems totally contrived! And I don't believe it. So it will get recycled to the bin. Never for another eye to read. The characters, live and die easily.

So, esoteric or not, you and me are the only ones that address such issues.

Maybe.

Mtn

 

[Guest]

I'll stick with my short stories. My steam always run out sharpish. I just don't have the patience, planning, craft, or whatever to write one chapter after another.

Besides, what is an author exactly doing when he/she is writing the chapter 99 of an erotic story? Is it 'War and Peace' being written?

I can think of my characters (better ones) going for an adventure ('Keith' is still buried somewhere on this forum LOL). Yep. That's something to think about.

 

[Guest]

I could revive your characters, CV.

2nd thought: Nah, better things to do.

Perdita

 

[wishfulthinking]

My question relates to the ending of a story. Do other authors walk away from story lines. Use, abuse, and move on? One, or two adventures are enough? Do characters live in the minds eye? Lurking to do more? More prowess to elicit to readers?

Have you wanted to do more? Does acceptance by the reader community influence your decision?

My question is: How do you end it?

I tried it recently, as I have too many stories going on and on, and I said 'this is it' on my members page for that story. I got bombarded with questions about it, and turns out I left more questions unanswered than answered, which was completely unintended. Now I'm trying to write the final chapter for another one, and finding it extremely difficult.

My next goal is to write one story in one instalment. No buts.

Slightly off-tangent

 

[mtnman2003]

To end, or not to end

Wishful Thinking...... good point.

Because of the potential for more, the unanswered questions, or questions or comments dropped in inadvertently give the ability to do more. We become comfortable with our characters.

I have stopped most stories with the conclusion of the sex act, drifting off to sleep, heading home, or some specific ending that could be the next action in another story if so desired.

I have let story lines just go, even with questions presented from readers about what will happen next. Or readers have suggested the course of action they would like to see. But the plot, characters, etc. have lost their interest to me. Author choice.

Without some new, fresh ideas, it is just a new setting for the same old characters doing the same nasty. Maybe that is ok?

Mtn

 

[Belegon]

I think my first set of characters are developing a life of their own...and that is a good thing...