Feb 5, 2010

Wannabe Writers #2

Hi again! This is my second week running (or attempting to run) my Wannabe Writer's group. Here's how it works: (click here) Thanks to everyone who participated last week. All the advice was very helpful.

I'm posting earlier this week because (a) it's snowing outside and I'm bored and (b) when you have a question sometimes it can't wait.

Where I am in the writing process: Still un-published and working on finishing my 2nd manuscript.

My question(s) this week: Finishing this thing? How do you tie up all those loose ends and write the perfect ending? I've never struggled this much in my writing. Usually it just flows out. Any suggestions?

19 comments:

Melissa (i swim for oceans) said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Melissa (i swim for oceans) said...

I guess I can't really weigh in on this objectively because I wrote the end of my book before I ever wrote the beginning. That said, if you're struggling...don't force it. Some day you're just going to be sitting there, and it will come to you. The perfect ending writes itself :)

Sarah Woodard said...

I would just wait it out. The ending will come to you.

Swimmer said...

I agree don't force it or it won't "work" or it just wont reach its true potential.

sarah darlington said...

Thanks for the advice guys. I hope it comes to me too. I've been trapped inside all day because of the snow and wish I could be using my time more productively

Al said...

I started my first book with the end and the beginning. Then I filled out the middle.
I did later write two additional endings to see how they felt. But truth be told I went back to the original.

With my WIP I also have the end already finalised. It doesn't feel as concrete as the first but I expect it is what I will run with.

As a general rule I would say the key is to look at what the central conflict/s are in the book. To reach a finish decide on whether the central characters resolve those conflicts or if they "fail". Powerful endings can be developed either way.

Anonymous said...

Thank you soooo much for subscribing to J. Kaye's Book Blog. If you hadn't, I might not have seen this post. I am so in! I'll get my posts read and begin tomorrow.

Awesome!

sarah darlington said...

I actually have skipped ahead a bit and written the end. Now I just need to fill in the stuff in-between.

sarah darlington said...

Thanks for the all the comments they were very helpful.

Summer Frey said...

This is a great question...Only once have I known exactly how to finish. I think I'm more of the sudden-ending type, leaving everything a bit open-ended for the reader to ponder over when the book is done.

For my WIP, I've no clue what the ending will be. I know where the action will stop, I think, but that's about it...Thankfully I've still got another 40k or so before I'm there! :-)

Bookish in a Box said...

The only advice I can offer is to start piecing together the end in your head before you get there so you can gradually transition to the conclusion.
That writing process might be writer-specific though, and in that case, try not to push it and give yourself a break if you need one!

Happy writing!

Swimmer said...

You've writen the end!!! Awsome!!!
Thats really good saying that that was your issue and now you have worked it out.

sarah darlington said...

Well, I skipped ahead to write the end. I'm still missing a big chunk.

Stina said...

I bang my head against the wall until something comes out. :D

Alissa Grosso said...

Endings are the hardest part, and I don't have an easy answer for this one. It has to tie everything up. It has to be satisfying and it can't be too dark or too happy. Yikes!

My first ending turned out to not be an ending at all. So, I wrote a part 2, but then when I got to the ending I was stuck because I just wanted to tie everything up. I'm going back again to take another stab at that ending. Wish me luck!

Swimmer said...

Well you might be missing a chunk but know you generally know where you will end and know you probably know why to.


Good Luck Alissa!! Taking on endings are very hard!

Aubrey said...

I usually start w/ at least a broad idea of the end in mind, but...as characters develop & subplots emerge...the end ends up a surprise after all, ime.

Witless Exposition said...

If you're already deep into a project, it might be hard to think of an ending now. I'd roughly outline two or three ways your main story could end (don't worry about sub-plots just yet). See if you have one you really gravitate to, if you're still unsure, just keep writing. A lot of times these things come naturally.

And remember, the first draft is supposed to be bad. You can worry about sub-plots and loose threads after you finish it the first go-round.

Witless Exposition said...

If you're already deep into a project, it might be hard to think of an ending now. I'd roughly outline two or three ways your main story could end (don't worry about sub-plots just yet). See if you have one you really gravitate to, if you're still unsure, just keep writing. A lot of times these things come naturally.

And remember, the first draft is supposed to be bad. You can worry about sub-plots and loose threads after you finish it the first go-round.