tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post5414282528408047898..comments2023-10-30T07:08:09.860-07:00Comments on It's a Mystery: The Right EndingElspeth Futcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10330102545384369360noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-65365211101932736512010-11-22T21:39:18.228-08:002010-11-22T21:39:18.228-08:00I don't ever know that. I still wish I'd c...I don't ever know that. I still wish I'd come up with a different ending for my first mystery...too late now.Patricia Stolteyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17192369425956406122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-16908716792205937702010-11-22T20:00:47.037-08:002010-11-22T20:00:47.037-08:00Jane; I do try my best to answer all the questions...Jane; I do try my best to answer all the questions correctly before I put the manuscript before other eyes. Sometimes I'm right...<br /><br />Jan; I really like that idea of an ending being round - I'll think of it next time.<br /><br />Elizabeth; Beginnings are easier, aren't they? I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who finds them tough.Elspeth Futcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10330102545384369360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-76904579191959188132010-11-22T17:37:17.716-08:002010-11-22T17:37:17.716-08:00Oh, gosh. I *hate* endings! I'd rather write 2...Oh, gosh. I *hate* endings! I'd rather write 200 beginnings than a single ending. I've come to terms with my problem for the last couple of books I've finished (I end them the way I started them...dialogue), but they still give me fits if I allow myself to obsess over them...Elizabeth Spann Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625595247828274405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-6541991844678248472010-11-22T16:55:02.542-08:002010-11-22T16:55:02.542-08:00I love writing the endings. I like big expansive m...I love writing the endings. I like big expansive mystical (but not magical) endings where you aren't exactly sure why it is finished but you feel satisfied. I've only written one ending of a mystery novel and it wasn't like that though - it was kind of warm and you got to find out what happened to everyone and it was round - yeah, round - it ended in the same room as the first chapterJan Morrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01771180344305042855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-70775678547617863002010-11-22T16:22:44.041-08:002010-11-22T16:22:44.041-08:00I hope my early readers and editors will let me kn...I hope my early readers and editors will let me know if I hit the mark on the ending, which I think is just as important as the beginning. However, I also think answering the questions on your list should be done before turning it over to others to read.Jane Kennedy Suttonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12519340747761460017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-40931821758246056402010-11-22T12:13:48.081-08:002010-11-22T12:13:48.081-08:00Carol; I don't have problem with days; I have ...Carol; I don't have problem with days; I have problems with hours - oh look. three different things happening to the same characters at the same time in three different locations! There's a big curse word in the air.Elspeth Futcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10330102545384369360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-7639472245415061832010-11-22T11:57:22.452-08:002010-11-22T11:57:22.452-08:00I have to always, ALWAYS re-check my timeline beca...I have to always, ALWAYS re-check my timeline because I'm prone to losing or adding days along the way. Two Tuesdays? Zero Mondays? No problem!<br /><br />Great checklist!Carol Kilgorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15168273312704732896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-91356963376072098872010-11-22T11:42:21.052-08:002010-11-22T11:42:21.052-08:00Terry; That's so true! I've never found th...Terry; That's so true! I've never found the endings easier to write in a full length story than in a short story.<br /><br />Margot; You make a very good point. Every character's reaction should be 'in character'.Elspeth Futcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10330102545384369360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-29926236139833864582010-11-22T11:27:50.228-08:002010-11-22T11:27:50.228-08:00Elspeth - Those are really excellent questions! I ...Elspeth - Those are really excellent questions! I think #8 is of paramount importance, too, and it's one of the main ones that I ask myself. I also ask myself: are the characters' reactions at the end believable? It's closely related to your #3, but to me, slightly different. I always want to make sure that the characters (including the murderer) behave the way you'd expect a Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-48701537873821445782010-11-22T11:15:24.499-08:002010-11-22T11:15:24.499-08:00I'm not fond of writing endings. That's wh...I'm not fond of writing endings. That's why I gave up on short stories, I think! But you're right. Your opening paragraphs sells the book, your last paragraph sells the next book.<br /><br />Terry<br /><a href="http://terryodell.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Terry's Place</a><br /><a href="http://www.terryodell.com" rel="nofollow">Romance with a Twist--of Mystery</a>Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.com