How to find your story's end by Leanne Dyck

Finding the end of a story can be as challenging for a writer as finding the end of this mess is for a knitter...

photo by Leanne Dyck

Sometimes I've cut a story short--ending it before the end. Other times I've written on and on and on, well past the end. 

How can I learn to recognize the end of my story?

Determined to answer this question, I searched for a solution. I found this strategy...

Whoever it was, whenever it was, this wise writer advised me to find the story question. She said that it would be at the beginning of my story. For example, she continued to explain, in a mystery, your story question is who shot the victim. In a romance, your story question is, will the protagonist find love? After locating the question, search for the answer. The answer will be located at the end of your story. End your story after answering the question.

The end is the resolution of the problem that you introduced in one of the first two chapters...

-Bob Mayer 

photo by Leanne Dyck

Okay, so, what if your problem isn't finding the end of your story, but rather how to end it? 

Well, in her book

Endings

1. A pivotal, life-changing event occurs...

2. Characters modify short-term goals one last time...

They know exactly what they have to do now, and absolutely nothing can stop them from doing it...

3. The Showdown Begins...

The main character and opposition come fact to face, there's no hiding...

4. The opposition is vanquished and the conflict ends...

5. The story goal is achieved

6. Characters react to the resolution of the plot and subplot

7. Characters revise their life goals

8. Possible reemergence of the conflict of opposition...in thrillers, horror novels and mysteries.

photo by Leanne Dyck

In his book,

'Study endings as much as you study beginnings. The most important thing about the ending is to close out your main story line and all your subplots. Don't have the reader guessing... [T]he climax is not the same as the resolution. The climax ends the crisis. The resolution explains how the crisis is over and also lays out the effect on the characters who now go on.' 

photo by Leanne Dyck

Dos and Don'ts of Novel Endings

-Don't introduce any new characters or subplots

-Don't describe, muse, explain or philosophize

-Do create that sense

-Do enmesh your reader deeply in the outcome

-Do resolve the central conflict

-Do afford redemption to your heroic character

-Do tie up loose ends of significance

-Do mirror your final words to events in your opener

-Don't change voice, tone or attitude

-Don't resort to gimmicks

The End

photo by Leanne Dyck

Sharing my author journey...

Question:  When is a rejection letter not a rejection letter?
Answer:  When it inspires you to write on.
Please allow me to explain...

Book review: When Everything Feels Like the Movies by Raziel Reid

I heard about When Everything Feels Like the Movies while listening to Canada Reads. One of the panelists complained about the amount of sex. I wonder if this is why it wasn't chosen as the book all Canada should read.

I'm surprised -- notice I didn't say shocked -- at how explicit  non-erotic fiction is becoming. I wonder when the pendulum will swing back.

I'm not in favour of censorship. I think artists need to be free to explore. Instead of running from ideas, I believe in informing myself. And so I begin to read...

Sure, there's sex, drugs and rock and roll. But it is a story about a teenager, would you wonder if there wasn't? 

The sex, the drugs, the rock and roll—it's all germane to the story. In fact, I'm very impressed by how well the author has developed his teenage character. Jude breathes on the page. 

The internal dialogue is strongly written. We are deep in Jude's mind, but there's no trail of 'I thoughts'. For example, instead of 'I thought', Mr. Reid writes, 'It was like...'

Rather than be paralyzed by the violence he sees at home and at school, Jude fantasizes that he is a movie star. 

When Everything Feels Like the Movies

Raziel Reid

Arsenal Pulp Press

Available from Hachette UK

Jude is determined, independent, heroic and compassionate. He knows who is he and what he wants from the world and he's not afraid to shout it out loud and proud.  Even in the face of undeniable heart break, Jude believes in a 'happy-ever-after' ending to the last page.

This short book (170 pages) is power-packed by a skilled author.

I looked down the highway. It was a long black stroke of ink that told a never-ending story (p. 135)

More...

-the true story that inspired the book
-the controversy around the book
-a candid interview with the author
Here's the link

Ellen DeGeneres on 15-year-old boy, Larry King, killed for being Gay

Marcy Kennedy wrote a helpful article on how to write strong  internal dialogue for the Writers of the Storm blog. 

When they are ready, children need to be able to turn to a trusted adult for sex education. But figuring out what to say can be a challenge. That's why it is helpful to have books like...

Sex is a funny word by Cory Silverberg (for children ages 7 to 10 years of age) 

Sharing my author journey...

Have you heard the rule show, don't tell? As in, show me what's happening, don't tell me what's happening.
For example...