N
End it. End it all.
no, really. just finish it.
and here's how.
Don't tie it up in pretty little ribbons and bows.
Don't clean up all your character's messes for them. What are you, their mother? Well, okay maybe you kinda are. (and, okay, solutions may be somewhat necessary.)
BUT FOR GOODNESS SAKES, LEAVE YOUR READER WANTING MORE, MORE, MORE!
Make them turn the final page wishing you'd dragged it out. CRYING. "PUH-LEASE! DON'T LET IT END!"
and running to the library/bookstore for another one of your books!
yes, friends that is today's post. i'm ending it, leaving you wondering what happened to the other 173 sentences i usually drone on and on and on with.
that, and this:
AND ONE MORE THING! GO HERE FOR AN ARC OF SHATTER ME, TAHEREH 'S DEBUT NOVEL.
happy, happy saturday bloggy neighbors. what are you waiting for? GET WRITING!
Never Eighteen by Megan Bostic
due out in bookstores in January
I love stories that do this well. the Plot whisperer just did a vlog on this on her youtube channel. worth checking out.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I sometimes like the tidy endings, but I LOVE endings that make me say, "Really? NO! NO! NO! It can't end here!!" So, yeah, I'm with you.
ReplyDeleteI always leave cliffhangers.... Why won't you?
ReplyDeleteNow I'm singing that song in my head!
ReplyDeletePersonally, when a story ends without fully resolving, I get mad. Maybe that's because I have so many of them I've let beta readers try out, and haven't had time to get to the sequels...so it's a subconscious reminder. So much to do!
But mine is character-driven and has no plot, so there's nothing to tie up. >:(
ReplyDeleteOkay, for real - I tie up the relationship problems my characters have in my ms, but since they're 17 and it occurs only over one summer, there's a lot left to want to know about. Also, I think if a person likes your writing, they'll want more of your books, regardless of whether they're sequels or new books.
erica
I never heard the frog thing but I used this song for tempo when I ran. Now for walking because of knees. Thanks it got my day moving!
ReplyDeleteMy kids love that crazy frog.
ReplyDeleteGood point about leaving your readers wanting more. Thanks for the reminder!
Interesting take on the letter N!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win an ARC of Shatter Me.
I would, but it's after 10 PM. :(
ReplyDelete