tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post8077871047388744158..comments2023-11-02T02:40:48.410-07:00Comments on Crime Fiction Collective: The EndL.J. Sellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10213491074676394406noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-59543849621612537742012-08-23T09:57:01.117-07:002012-08-23T09:57:01.117-07:00Hey Drew, you're so right! The endings I hate ...Hey Drew, you're so right! The endings I hate are the standard mystery endings where all the loose ends get tied up in a conversation with no action. While that type of scene can be almost unavoidable, at times, when possible I'd much prefer to see a full-fledged scene where I'm involved in what's going on with the characters. <br /><br />Loose ends don't bother me when it sets up a sequel, but that's just my opinion. Nice post on the dilemma!Terry Ambrosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14859532145979982213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-5121951575604859702012-08-23T05:48:05.360-07:002012-08-23T05:48:05.360-07:00I much prefer to know how my story ends before I e...I much prefer to know how my story ends before I even begin writing. It makes it a lot easier to write toward that outcome. I don't watch TV crime dramas at all these days, because I think accuracy, especially accuracy of time-frame is distincly lacking. The one hour TV drama has huge limitations.Louis Shalakohttp://shalakopublishing.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-34229257298132869012012-08-23T05:16:48.246-07:002012-08-23T05:16:48.246-07:00Something you said really struck me. "Since I...Something you said really struck me. "Since I've started writing books, I find I have far less of it to read. What little time I do have I want to feel worthwhile and enjoyable." <br /><br />That's exactly what's happened to me and I hadn't realized it until now. Since I've been writing, I have so little time. The authors I used to read and enjoy just don't do it for me anymore. I crave a book that takes me on an emotional rollercoaster and leaves me satisfied at the end.<br />Kelly Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05864393063155941257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-53598453218533773262012-08-22T20:08:15.008-07:002012-08-22T20:08:15.008-07:00Great post, Drew. I like happy endings. If they ca...Great post, Drew. I like happy endings. If they can't be happy, I least want the loose ends tied up. And I agree with Jenny. Abrupt endings are disappointing. I also read a book and kept looking for more. I'm still not sure I got the whole book. Should have been at least another chapter or two. Nissiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11043154807861670942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-16319326272494282102012-08-22T16:24:35.320-07:002012-08-22T16:24:35.320-07:00Great comments, everyone.
I think I struggle wit...Great comments, everyone. <br /><br />I think I struggle with my endings more than anything else. Part of it is because it's the last impression a reader will have of my latest work. I want it to be powerful enough so when the next one comes along, hopefully, they'll want to pick it up.ANDREW E. KAUFMANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08835920472268730244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-48413817749700278012012-08-22T13:11:42.376-07:002012-08-22T13:11:42.376-07:00What do I hate about endings? The end. I've ra...What do I hate about endings? The end. I've rarely been satisfied with an ending to a book, and that includes my own. Interestingly, I like many of the endings to short stories or flash fiction. They have a way of ending the story but kickstarting your imagination. It's hard to do that in a novel - I think people believe if they've invested this much time with your characters and plot, they deserve it to come to a full and complete stop.<br /><br />Sadly, I think my books end like those episodes of "Police Squad!" if you remember it. Done by the Zuckers, it was nothing but running sight gags and puns, and always ended in the squadroom with light-hearted banter about the case. Then, instead of freezing the last frame and running the credits, the actors had to freeze while the credits rolled by. Okay, maybe you had to be there, but it was corny/funny. <br /><br />Someday I hope my endings are satisfying...Gayle Carlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15783449240138097315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-35762562686294589742012-08-22T10:15:10.339-07:002012-08-22T10:15:10.339-07:00As a reader, if you expect me to buy again, I need...As a reader, if you expect me to buy again, I need to walk away satisfied. That's not to say you can't leave me with some questions, but the current story line (even if it's a series) needs to conclude somehow. Leaving a reader dangling does not make them buy the next book. It frustrates.<br /><br />Also, MAKE SURE a reader can find the next book easily. In this day of ebooks that link, definitely put a link to your next book in the back. It's simple and I can't tell you how many books I've purchased on the heels of reading one of the author's free books. If I like the author, I click the next one without hesitation.LINDA'S BOOK GARDENhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02380644949713158187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-42891749426751171902012-08-22T08:00:58.672-07:002012-08-22T08:00:58.672-07:00I just read a book that ended abruptly and I was d...I just read a book that ended abruptly and I was disappointed; I kept pressing next page on my Kindle, convinced there had to be more and a better ending. It leaves a reader annoyed when it happens. I agonize over my endings and use beta readers to make sure they satisfy. A writer knows when they've rushed the ending - and a reader definitely does. Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10384070533603453713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-90396802483966054902012-08-22T07:48:16.712-07:002012-08-22T07:48:16.712-07:00I loved Joseph Finder's PARANOIA because of ho...I loved Joseph Finder's PARANOIA because of how he handled the ending. I'm sure it left some readers less than satisfied, but to me it was perfect.<br /><br />Another book by another author I read years ago had an amazing plot, a fabulous story… and then, what??? A helicopter from where? Why? The ending read as if it had been written by another writer. As if maybe the publishers told him to write a new ending in three hours. <br /><br />And thanks to one beta reader in particular (ahem) I completely rewrote the ending of the manuscript that's currently in edits. She was right. And now my so-so ending is a bit more slam-bang.<br /><br />We've all heard that the beginning is what sells your book and the ending is what sells your next book. I don't require every thread to be tied and every question answered, but the main points should be wrapped up in an emotionally satisfying way.Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-63197885942098148342012-08-22T07:38:09.786-07:002012-08-22T07:38:09.786-07:00Excellent post, Drew! Endings are so important. I ...Excellent post, Drew! Endings are so important. I like an ending that is unexpected and surprising, but when you go back, it all makes sense. <br /><br />What I really hate are endings that feel contrived, that obviously have the heavy hand of the author trying to manipulate things to fit. Or that work only because of last-minute stuff that was hastily shoved into the novel near the end.<br /><br />Also, I like any questions raised in the novel to be answered in the last chapters - don't leave me dangling on anything critical.<br /><br />Great post! I'll be sending all my author clients here to read it.Jodie Rennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17180607353893233389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-55932389117156391412012-08-22T07:36:00.418-07:002012-08-22T07:36:00.418-07:00Endings are the most challenging part of the story...Endings are the most challenging part of the story for authors. And not all readers like the same kind of ending. (Just ask my beta readers.) Payoff is important, so what I worry about is going over the top in an effort to keep giving readers something new. <br /><br />In contrast, my least favorite ending is one that just fizzles to a stop or is unrealistic...or both. Like having the protagonist encounter the perp and he/she just confesses everything. TV cop shows do this a lot, which is why I rarely watch them. .L.J. Sellershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10213491074676394406noreply@blogger.com