TECH: Endings (2 of 4)

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Original Posting 1 April 2010

Writers Digest, August 2007, pages 83 and 84 have an article by Colleen Thompson about endings. With a sidebar by her, and a short piece by James Scott Bell about endings. And there's even an exercise about endings! So... part two! Without further adieux?

Exercise! Here's the five step program that Colleen recommends:

1. List what each protagonist must learn, overcome and change to achieve, revise or abandon the story goal. (tink says, "Oh, how does the protagonist change?")
2. Reread your book's opening to determine what type of ending its tone or genre promises.
3. Brainstorm five possible outcomes for your protagonist and decide which will leave the reader surprised and satisfied. (tink says, "Oh, a quota! But shouldn't we have done that way long ago?")
4. Write a brief synopsis, sticking to the main characters and primary plot. Keep it short. Use it to visualize the story's beginning, middle and end. Try many versions until you find a favorite. (tink says, "Y'a know, Colleen must be a discovery writer. Okay, so she's pulling plot out...")
5. If you're stuck, skip the build up and write the most emotionally satisfying final scene you can envision. Then write your way to it by filling in the missing pieces. (tink laughs, "Yep! Okay, let's write the final scene, then figure out how to get there.")

Go ahead, write!