The last sentence by J. S. Marlo

J. S. Marlo's BWL Books

I'll start with the obvious. Every story ever written has three distinct parts: the beginning, the middle, and the end. Though these parts flow seamlessly into one another, when I write, I approach each part differently.

 In the first few chapters, I introduce the characters and  the first elements  of the main plot. It's not unusual for me to rewrite that first chapter six, ten or even a dozen times.  The first few pages need to grip the reader's attention and the first few chapters need to real the reader into the story. Where to start is always the major question. I want to engage the reader, so I need action, intrigue, or personal drama in that first scene, but I also need the main characters to appeal to the reader while remaining mysterious.

 

In the middle part, I develop the main plot and the main characters while weaving in the secondary plots and the secondary characters. Every scene adds details, and while it may provide answers of some sort,  it generates other questions or makes the reader questions these "answers". I like to end each chapter in such a way that the reader will want to read "just one more chapter" before going to bed. I don't do as much rewriting before moving to the next scene (compared to the first part  where I won't write the next scene until I'm first-draft satisfied with the previous one), but I  often go back to these scenes to add, remove, or change details to reflect the direction the story is taking. It never ceases to amaze me that characters I create in my mind can argue with me and make me rethink a scene.

In the last few chapters, which I'm writing right now in my upcoming novel Mishandled Conviction, I tie all the loose ends,  bring the story to a satisfying resolution, and give the characters the ending they deserve. I feel good and content when I finish a story, and I want my readers to feel the same way. No cliffhanger, unanswered question, or heartbroken ending. This is probably the part in which I do the less rewriting as I know how I want to end it, but I'm find myself rereading a lot so I don't miss any loose ends.

I enjoy the thrill of starting a new story and the enchantment of weaving a spiderweb, but I always agonize on one sentence. The last one.

I will rewrite that last sentence of that last scene on that last page dozens of times. Just like the first chapter sets the tone of the story, the last few words will resonate in the reader's mind after the story is over.

 

Here are a few "last sentences" I wrote over the last decade:

 

- Cheers erupted in the kitchen as the man who had captured her heart sealed their wonderful future with a passionate kiss.

- Eva and Matt.

- At peace with her past, she basked in the wonderful sensations he awoke, savoring the blissful moment and the promise of a wonderful future.

- Uniting them.

- He answered with a huge bear hug, worthy of a grandfather.

- “I would be delighted.”

- A tender kiss brushed his lips.

- The promise of a wonderful future shone in his eyes—a future that began here tonight.

- Her enduring spirit soared with his, bonding them forever. 

- Smiling, she noted the patient’s vital signs on the chart, and after making sure they didn’t tangle the intravenous line, she left them to dream.

Happy Reading & Stay safe. Many hugs!

JS

 

J. S. Marlo's Website