Writing 'The End' at the end of a story.

[Parhelical]

Stories on Literotica end with the author's name and a link to their profile, then a "Please rate this story", then a field for comments, then an ad for "live webcams". Falling away into unconstructed space isn't an option; it's just a question of what goes above the author's name/link.

Well sure, but I'm not going to intuitively read a username or report button and integrate it into the narrative.

The last sentence of a story should be deliberate. It should give us cause to reflect back across the narrative. 'The End' doesn't do that, it's the equivalent of being rushed out of the theater. Effectively it's telling the reader: 'don't linger, read this instead.'

 

[Rob_Royale]

I wouldn't do it myself. I like to leave the reader with a smile, so I end with something happy, funny, or clever.
The End, just isn't any of that.

 

[SimonDoom]

'The End' is a forth wall break: a violation of the narrative you've spent the story building for the sake of stage directions.

Wherever possible a story should end in emptiness. Isn't it beautiful, that falling away into unconstructed space? Don't ruin it.

I had not thought of this before, but it makes some sense to me, and it's a legitimate artistic reason not to add "The End" to a story. Bramblethorn is right that the reader is going to leave story mode an instant later, but as an author you might as well prolong the moment just a fraction more.

 

[Bramblethorn]

Well sure, but I'm not going to intuitively read a username or report button and integrate it into the narrative.

I've read hundreds if not thousands of stories that finish with "The End", or variants thereon. Those also get pretty intuitive with familiarity.

The last sentence of a story should be deliberate. It should give us cause to reflect back across the narrative. 'The End' doesn't do that, it's the equivalent of being rushed out of the theater. Effectively it's telling the reader: 'don't linger, read this instead.'

Has any author ever actually used it with that intention? Is there any reason to think an author would use it with that intention?

...and if not, doesn't it seem a bit unreasonable to go beyond what the words literally say - a boilerplate expression marking the end of the text - and imagine a dictum that was never there? Especially when it impairs one's enjoyment of the story?

As a writer, I attempt to use my words. If readers want to squint between the words for hidden messages that I didn't put there, like some censor playing a record backward in search of Satanic commands or reading every seventh letter of the Bible looking for hidden words, there's not much i can do to stop them. If it's not "the end", they'll find some other way to assign meaning beyond the meaning I put in there.

Sometimes that can be part of the fun of reading. There are times I've very much enjoyed reading a story while assigning a meaning that I'm pretty sure the author didn't intend. But if it's making the story less fun... why do it?

I asked my partner how she interprets "The End" and she said: "that marks the point where my imagination gets to run free!" That's no more supported by a literal reading than your version, but it seems more enjoyable.

 

[Parhelical]

Has any author ever actually used it with that intention? Is there any reason to think an author would use it with that intention?

Is that not the point? If the conclusion to a story holds narrative resolution then 'The End' becomes superfluous. And the narrative should resolve unless we're getting weird and experimental at which point you can do all sorts of bizarre stuff which doesn't carry into most writing.

...and if not, doesn't it seem a bit unreasonable to go beyond what the words literally say - a boilerplate expression marking the end of the text - and imagine a dictum that was never there? Especially when it impairs one's enjoyment of the story?

As a writer, I attempt to use my words. If readers want to squint between the words for hidden messages that I didn't put there, like some censor playing a record backward in search of Satanic commands or reading every seventh letter of the Bible looking for hidden words, there's not much i can do to stop them. If it's not "the end", they'll find some other way to assign meaning beyond the meaning I put in there.

Sometimes that can be part of the fun of reading. There are times I've very much enjoyed reading a story while assigning a meaning that I'm pretty sure the author didn't intend. But if it's making the story less fun... why do it?

Reasonable or not it's just what my brain does when I see 'The End'. On a meta level I'm thinking: writer had low confidence in narrative resolution, did not feel their ending had sufficient resonance to breathe on its own. On a narrative level I'm thinking: hold on, the story actually ends? Because they don't end, stories; characters continue beyond the point of narrative conclusion, placing a definitive end on the timeline rather than letting it run on is a mistake.

You know, maybe that's why 'The End' is a failure; an ending of unconstructed space is powerful because something is happening there, we just can't see it. Imposing a boilerplate stage direction into that is a violation.

 

[Bramblethorn]

Is that not the point? If the conclusion to a story holds narrative resolution then 'The End' becomes superfluous. And the narrative should resolve unless we're getting weird and experimental at which point you can do all sorts of bizarre stuff which doesn't carry into most writing.

I don't particularly disagree with this part (give or take some readers' inability to recognise narrative resolution when they see it!). But nor do I see how that requires interpreting "The End" as a command to stop reflecting.

Reasonable or not it's just what my brain does when I see 'The End'.

And it's your right to do that, but it doesn't follow that it's what the author intended or indeed what other readers might take from it.

On a meta level I'm thinking: writer had low confidence in narrative resolution, did not feel their ending had sufficient resonance to breathe on its own.

Then you're overthinking. It's a common writing convention - not universal, and perhaps less common than it used to be, but still very widely known. The most likely reason for it appearing in a story is simply that the author has read other stories where it's used, and is following a convention they're familiar with. Any attempt at psychoanalysing them based on that particular choice is self-delusion.

On a narrative level I'm thinking: hold on, the story actually ends? Because they don't end, stories; characters continue beyond the point of narrative conclusion, placing a definitive end on the timeline rather than letting it run on is a mistake.

I think the vast majority of readers understand that when an author writes "The End" they are not actually saying "and then the characters stopped existing and nothing more happened to them", any more than "happy ever after" means "they somehow became immortal".

 

[Parhelical]

Then you're overthinking. It's a common writing convention - not universal, and perhaps less common than it used to be, but still very widely known. The most likely reason for it appearing in a story is simply that the author has read other stories where it's used, and is following a convention they're familiar with. Any attempt at psychoanalysing them based on that particular choice is self-delusion.

Oh for sure, I'm a classic overthinker. Even a few words of authorial bleed-through and I'm thrown. My preference is always to cauterize the bleeds and commit absolutely.

I think the vast majority of readers understand that when an author writes "The End" they are not actually saying "and then the characters stopped existing and nothing more happened to them", any more than "happy ever after" means "they somehow became immortal".

But they are saying something. The author is speaking in direct address. The mask is off. There's a man in the pantomime horse. The children are confused.

 

[Bramblethorn]

Oh for sure, I'm a classic overthinker. Even a few words of authorial bleed-through and I'm thrown. My preference is always to cauterize the bleeds and commit absolutely.


But they are saying something. The author is speaking in direct address. The mask is off. There's a man in the pantomime horse. The children are confused.

How do you feel about chapter breaks and titles?

 

[Parhelical]

How do you feel about chapter breaks and titles?

Interesting.

Titles are fine because they're pre-narrative, the veil isn't up yet, also, plainly necessary - in fact a good title is the bridge into the narrative.

Chapters are usually needed for scene transitions and general flow, but only a symbol or number, no words of introduction; unless its a mess of perspectives like As I Lay Dying, then you need narrator name for the sake of readability, and dates, i suppose, when that's required for readability, which generally it isn't.

 

[Voboy]

But they are saying something. The author is speaking in direct address. The mask is off. There's a man in the pantomime horse. The children are confused.

Neither as a reader, nor as a writer, would this level of analysis ever begin to enter my mind. And I’ve read and written A LOT of stories.

I think you’re projecting, thinking other folks think like you. I’d stop doing that. Some of us really don’t delve very deeply into a simple “The End.” Which, to us, is simple, regardless of the complexities you assign to it for yourself.

 

[JaxRhapsody]

I don't think I've ever used "the end", or any form of it in anything I've ever wrote, the closest being a Peanuts fan fic I wrote last year, loosely inspired by Cowboy Bebop, that was a paradoy of "See ya, Space Cowboy". Nor can I remember the last time I saw it in a book. Whether somebody does, or doesn't oughta be a trivial affair unless it's required, or not by whatever publishing body. And since being here, and Laurel being that publishing body- why give a shit, if she doesn't? Personal standards aside, for those of us that have done "official" publishing, like Keith.

 

[JaxRhapsody]

Well, yes, unless you enjoy setting off Lovecraft68's crazy foaming at the mouth.

The two of you are like Bugs and Daffy in nearly every thread you both show up in.

 

[JaxRhapsody]

I do know that Keith does provide useful info on writing. He may have an 'interesting' personality, and I don't have to agree with him all the time, but I have little doubt he knows a thing or two about editing. Much more than me. And so do several other people who post on Lit. About Beth Hill, I don't know a thing, but maybe that's just me.




I didn't read the article, but in the section Duleigh quoted (bold added by me):



Beth definitely picked a side on what to do.


Interesting how you can't resist showing off your lunacy each time Keith's name shows up. Unlike him, you seem to be just plain crazy to me, without providing anything useful to the site.

That bolded text doesn't say write "the end", moreso whatevers written should make it plainly obvious that the story is over.

 

[KeithD]

The two of you are like Bugs and Daffy in nearly every thread you both show up in.

And you just let Lovecraft68 go on with his stalking year after year, so you're no help either. Take a look who opens an attack--each and every time. For a decade and a half. And all you do is snipe yourself from the safe sidelines. I've never rattled your cage that I can remember. Piss off.

 

[JaxRhapsody]

And you just let Lovecraft68 go on with his stalking year after year, so you're no help either. Take a look who opens an attack--each and every time. For a decade and a half. And all you do is snipe yourself from the safe sidelines. I've never rattled your cage that I can remember. Piss off.

Ouch, my guy. No, nobody here pisses me off. Bruh... I let him, I am not the powers that be, here, I can't make him stop being an ass. And I don't see much attempts from anybody else, either. Also I'm not here a whole lot to see he's always the aggressor. I was here... last month in two threads, and maybe august before that? I don't know what that expression is, and don't take your annoyance out on me- I ain't his fucking daddy.

Be the bigger person and ignore his shit talking. Stop engaging if it makes you so mad. Most of us have been on here so long, we all should have an incling of how we present ourselves here. We're kinda used to each other... and yalls feud. It's been a decade and you ain't blocked him, or figured anything to shut him up, report him, or just act like he don't exist, not to victim blame, but you don't blame the stove for burning the child. I sure as hell ain't gonna be the only one you scold for doing nothing. I'm respectful and try to get along with everybody- even him, and you, Pilot.

I wasn't gonna say it, but fuck it, after that outburts; sometimes it's fucking funny to me, Bugs.

 

[KeithD]

Ouch, my guy. No, nobody here pisses me off. Bruh... I let him, I am not the powers that be, here, I can't make him stop being an ass. And I don't see much attempts from anybody else, either. Also I'm not here a whole lot to see he's always the aggressor. I was here... last month in two threads, and maybe august before that? I don't know what that expression is, and don't take your annoyance out on me- I ain't his fucking daddy.

Be the bigger person and ignore his shit talking. Stop engaging if it makes you so mad. Most of us have been on here so long, we all should have an incling of how we present ourselves here. We're kinda used to each other... and yalls feud. It's been a decade and you ain't blocked him, or figured anything to shut him up, report him, or just act like he don't exist, not to victim blame, but you don't blame the stove for burning the child. I sure as hell ain't gonna be the only one you scold for doing nothing. I'm respectful and try to get along with everybody- even him, and you, Pilot.

I wasn't gonna say it, but fuck it, after that outburts; sometimes it's fucking funny to me, Bugs.

You chose to engage. I don't recall ever purposely standing on one of your nerves.

 

[JaxRhapsody]

You chose to engage. I don't recall ever purposely standing on one of your nerves.

You don't ever get on my nerves. What I initially said wasn't even out of annoyance, or to start anything with you, it was out of amusement, because the both of you are some of the funniest people on here. I really wasn't trying to piss you off. Only ever two people got on my nerves, one we all hated, who's not here, and the other, that I actually often purposefully trolled, because she started it, was Safe_Bet. I wasn't really aware how mad he made you, because I'm used to it, and it just comes off as rival like banter. I'll make note not to exacerbate the issue, now that I know.

 

[AWhoopsieDaisy]

I'm more of a "That's all folks!" kind of gal.

In all seriousness "the end" in particular invokes the fairy tale/children's book ending sorta feel. So unless I'm spoofing that specifically I think it would make more sense to just write in the comments of the story "this is the last installment of this series"

 

[KeithD]

As I've noted a couple of times, I think that, for Literotica, it's a good idea to indicate when a chaptered series has been completed--because there are so many chaptered series on Literotica that either don't complete or that spin out with long posting delays.

 

[GrushaVashnadze]

"the end" in particular invokes the fairy tale/children's book ending sorta feel. So unless I'm spoofing that specifically...

... which is why my Snow White story The Princess and the Cuntsman finishes thus:

Freed from the shackles of the old regime, Sir John de Thomas and Annie the scullery maid are also wed. Prince Callum acts as Best Man, and Snow White -- in a breach of courtly etiquette, to be sure, but to great popular acclaim -- is her Chief Bridesmaid. No one notices, though, when Snow White leans forward and whispers into Annie's ear, "Is 'e goin' to fuck yer arrse tonoight, Annie?"
Annie giggles.
And They All Live Happily Ever After.
THE END.

 

[SimonDoom]

This is still going on. Amazing.
After reading what everybody has said, I think the following:
1. It doesn't matter that much.
2. It's been done both ways sufficiently that probably the great majority of people don't care and don't think about it, and it doesn't affect their reading experience.
3. If you are the sort of person that would mark a story down because it ended in "The end" then you are a silly person.
4. I'm going to stop using it for standalone stories because I think it's better not to, for reasons that some have ably stated here.
5. I probably will continue to use it at the end of the last chapter of a series to let the reader know that the series is done.

That's all.

The End.

 

[MillieDynamite]

This is still going on. Amazing.
After reading what everybody has said, I think the following:
1. It doesn't matter that much.
2. It's been done both ways sufficiently that probably the great majority of people don't care and don't think about it, and it doesn't affect their reading experience.
3. If you are the sort of person that would mark a story down because it ended in "The end" then you are a silly person.
4. I'm going to stop using it for standalone stories because I think it's better not to, for reasons that some have ably stated here.
5. I probably will continue to use it at the end of the last chapter of a series to let the reader know that the series is done.

That's all.

The End.

You didn't get it quite right, It's "That's all, Folks," Porky says, with "The End" under his round window. LOL, just fucking with you, Simon!

 

[SimonDoom]

You didn't get it quite right, It's "That's all, Folks," Porky says, with "The End" under his round window. LOL, just fucking with you, Simon!

I know you are. Is there a Porky emoji I should end with?

 

[MillieDynamite]

I know you are. Is there a Porky emoji I should end with?

View attachment 2190673

If you use this one, it really is The End!

 

[lovecraft68]

I love the irony of every time it looks like this thread is going to go away, it gets bumped. The endless thread about people thinking you should never type the end. Awesome.