tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post1038693509334369153..comments2024-03-29T03:30:18.368-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: Resolution of the Major ThreadDanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-14345798011355250672012-06-18T18:07:53.615-06:002012-06-18T18:07:53.615-06:00I think a lot of writers confuse the denouement wi...I think a lot of writers confuse the denouement with this sense of addressing the main story question that you're talking about. In order to be a story, and not a question, authors must address the main question (will he live to get the girl?). Yet it's fine with me if the author leaves you with the sense that the character's life will continue on in a way to which your imagination can contribute. It's really easy to get heavy-handed with the denouement: "And then they bought a house in San Francisco, had 2 children, and went on to establish a homeless shelter." Sometimes it's just enough to believe they're going to be okay. In other words, you don't need to answer the main story question and seven others as well! ;)Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-15109693634857820482012-06-16T08:57:24.474-06:002012-06-16T08:57:24.474-06:00As soon as I read those first two paragraphs, I gr...As soon as I read those first two paragraphs, I grinned and thought, "Ah, you don't plan or outline your books before you write them, do you? You simply start with your initial idea and keep writing until you start hitting walls, because you have no idea where that sucker is going. Been there, done that. <br /><br />May I suggest you pick up Karen Wiesner's book "First Draft in 30 Days. Her tagline is "A novel writer's system for building a complete and cohesive manuscript." <br /><br />She takes you right through how to plan your plots and subplots, so that you're not simply writing in the dark. Tremendously helpful.Marlynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-59527028723973402012-06-14T21:13:59.279-06:002012-06-14T21:13:59.279-06:00When I started Angel Sometimes, I knew what the en...When I started Angel Sometimes, I knew what the ending would be, but that didn't mean I knew the ending. But the closer I got to wrapping it all up, I understood what had to happen. <br /><br />As I wrote it, it was like there was no other answer.Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03171630819400384478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-40120887932476569662012-06-14T19:16:05.174-06:002012-06-14T19:16:05.174-06:00It's a challenge to write a series. Each book ...It's a challenge to write a series. Each book needs to be complete in its own right, not be a spoiler and make readers want to read more.<br /><br />Morgan Mandel<br />http://morgansbooklinks.blogspot.comMorgan Mandelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-52721955307446420142012-06-14T18:32:56.822-06:002012-06-14T18:32:56.822-06:00You've got that right, Linda!You've got that right, Linda!Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-77026937233285797672012-06-14T15:39:42.723-06:002012-06-14T15:39:42.723-06:00All good points, Helen and commenters alike. Reade...All good points, Helen and commenters alike. Readers buy books. Therefore, they need to nod approvingly at the end of the story and wait in eager anticipation for our next book to come out.<br /><br />Endings are as important as beginnings, and both are more difficult to write than the all that goes in between.Linda Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06686488133905538811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-45245101675976866432012-06-14T11:53:09.346-06:002012-06-14T11:53:09.346-06:00One thing that drives me nuts editing mysteries, i...One thing that drives me nuts editing mysteries, is the dangling red herrings that are substantive enough to need a certain level of resolution, but don't. Even Agatha Christie didn't always get this right! The reader does care about these things.Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-59655162142796357982012-06-14T10:31:49.372-06:002012-06-14T10:31:49.372-06:00Amen, Helen. One way I have avoided leaving the ma...Amen, Helen. One way I have avoided leaving the main thread untied or having to patch in an unsatisfying ending is to write backwards. In 3 out of 4 of my novels, I wrote the end first, then wove my way toward it. In the process, I learned enough about the story to require some rework and rewriting of the climax, but I started the journey with a clear understanding of the destination.<br /><br />Endings can also be a tough sell, and it may not be possible to satisfy all readers. One of my cinema-loving buddies at the university recently complained about a movie I had recommended because it ended too well. He thought the main character should have been killed off and the baby should have been found dead and... <br /><br />Feature films often have their endings rewritten after test audiences complain. I ended up completely reworking the last chapter and epilogue of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0984377247/" rel="nofollow">The Rosen Singularity</a> after my beta readers objected to the resolution. It's still the same story, but the wrap-up is now a better finish to the story.Larry Constantine (Lior Samson)http://www.amazon.com/Lior-Samson/e/B004KDPO9A/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-77861578829567281222012-06-14T10:08:20.302-06:002012-06-14T10:08:20.302-06:00Argh, the "I'm at my word limit and stuck...Argh, the "I'm at my word limit and stuck for a conclusion, so throw in the fiery plane crash HERE" ending. Feh.<br /><br />Yes, a proper tying up of threads is vital, and I'm not just saying that because I'm a knitter. ;)silferthttp://stitchtunes.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-73321771650120310782012-06-14T07:24:12.982-06:002012-06-14T07:24:12.982-06:00Ditto to Maryann's comment. This is a great p...Ditto to Maryann's comment. This is a great post, Helen! You hit on the essence of theme, the point of the story. I call it the main story question, and everything has to lead into that, with that question answered in the end. <br /><br />Loved this! Thank You.Susan Mary Malonehttp://www.maloneeditorial.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-64056397525861306252012-06-14T07:06:03.378-06:002012-06-14T07:06:03.378-06:00You are so right about the importance of tying up ...You are so right about the importance of tying up all the threads in the story. And the resolution of that main thread needs to be organic to the story and the character, not just something thrown in by the author because a resolution is needed. I have been disappointed in some books that have this great lead up to the climax, and then the climax in manipulated by the author.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.com