[stylist] Tragic endings?

Tue Apr 7 19:51:40 UTC 2009

Helene,

I think the most important thing is that the ending flows from the story,
that it naturally wraps up the plot and subplots without being forced.  I
think of the ending as the "payoff" for all that went before, for going
through the struggles and ups and downs with the characters.

I've read some awfully painful books out of nothing but grim determination
only to end up  loving them because the payoff was so worth it!  I've also
read some where I loved every bit of the reading, right up to the point
where the writer just phoned in the ending.  What a let down!  I get all
glum and angry over it.  Why did I invest my time and imagination and
emotion on these characters, on this story, only to have them do something
artificially contrived and idiotic just so the writer could wash his/her
hands of them?

When it comes to fantasy, I do appreciate epilogues.  An update on the world
I've been exploring and worrying about.  How is it different now that the
conflict is resolved and victory achieved (by whoever achieved it).  I also
get really excited if the epilogue hints that a sequel might be coming!
/grin/

Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of helene ryles
Sent: Sunday, April 05, 2009 5:26 PM
To: Writer's Division Mailing List
Subject: Re: [stylist] Tragic endings?

Cindy, I'm glad some people are ok about a sad ending.

Helene

On 06/04/2009, slery <slerythema at insightbb.com> wrote:
> My very favorite book had me bawling the last three chapters. Even upon
> re-reading it when I know what is going to happen it still pulls at my
> emotions.
>
> In fact, a tragic ending sometimes makes a book more memorable than a
happy
> everything worked out ending
>
> Cindy
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org
>> [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Judith Bron
>> Sent: Thursday, April 02, 2009 9:14 PM
>> To: NFBnet Writer's Division Mailing List
>> Subject: Re: [stylist] Tragic endings?
>>
>>
>> If you plan to write a sequel only you know how the book will
>> begin and what
>> characters you need to be alive.  Endings are your choice.
>> Some wonderful
>> books have tragic endings.  Some leave the reader laughing
>> and everything
>> else is somewhere in the middle.  Only you know where your
>> book is coming
>> from and where you want it to go to.  Judith
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "helene ryles" <dreamavdb at googlemail.com>
>> To: "NFBnet Writer's Division Mailing List" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Thursday, April 02, 2009 7:22 PM
>> Subject: [stylist] Tragic endings?
>>
>>
>> > What do people think of sad/tragic endings?
>> >
>> > rounding off a story is difficult in any case. Some books
>> I've enjoyed
>> > seem to spoil it a bit by creating superficially 'happy'
>> endings that
>> > aren't very realistic.
>> >
>> > Should a writer always aim for a happy ending or is it
>> better to let
>> > the events in the book take their natural course. Even if
>> it involves
>> > some of the major good characters being killed or seriously wounded
>> > and the villans getting the power they were craving for?
>> >
>> > What about if a book with a tragic ending has a sequel where the
>> > Villans are eventually have to face up to their evil actions?
>> >
>> > Helene
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Writers Division web site: http://www.nfb-writers-division.org
>> > <http://www.nfb-writers-division.org/>
>> >
>> > stylist mailing list
>> > stylist at nfbnet.org
>> > http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
>> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your
>> account info for
>> > stylist:
>> >
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/jbron
> %40optonline.net
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Writers Division web site:
> http://www.nfb-writers-division.org <http://www.nfb-writers-division.org/>
>
> stylist mailing list
> stylist at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> stylist:
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/slerythema%40insigh
> tbb.com
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Writers Division web site:
> http://www.nfb-writers-division.org <http://www.nfb-writers-division.org/>
>
> stylist mailing list
> stylist at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> stylist:
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/dreamavdb%40googlem
ail.com
>

_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site:
http://www.nfb-writers-division.org <http://www.nfb-writers-division.org/>

stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/tamara.8024%40comca
st.net