How do you want a story to end? Should it have a fairy tale ending? A hopeful ending? Or do you like stories with more realistic endings—even if the protagonist doesn’t come out ahead and the villain doesn’t get his?
Realistic Endings vs. Happily Ever After Endings
While some would consider me a witty, yet realistic introvert, they would be surprised to learn that I’m a big fan of the fairy tale ending. Sure, I like my mysteries and crime shows and novels, an occasional Disney movie, and I overdose on Hallmark Chanel movies. Who doesn’t? But I prefer at least a hint of happily-ever-after endings. Yes, my historical novels are very realistic. Still, I must always have a glimmer of hope and the chance of a happily-ever-after ending. . .somewhere in the future.
I have to care about the characters. I will forgive problems with plot and storyline if I just have to know what happens to the characters.
To make me care, the characters have to be genuine, authentic, real. I have to know they are, in many ways, like me. We all have our commendable qualities and those we’d rather keep hidden from the world. As writers, our characters have to be the same. Otherwise, the reader won’t be able to relate and will too easily dismiss them.
Realistic? Yes. Dark and defeated? Definitely not.
Not even in my paranormal or hard-scrabble historical stories.
T
urn Off the Lights, But Leave the Door Open
Christy Harkin said, “The difference between writing for adults and children is this: You can lead children into a dark room, but you must leave a door open.”
I actually prefer that open door myself—or at least a distant pinpoint of light.
Action adventure. Suspense. Drama. In all of these genres, the moments we can take a breath—maybe even laugh a little—help us prepare for the intensity to come. These moments must be skillfully crafted. They can’t boot the reader out of the story altogether.
Maybe the protagonist’s best friend cracks a joke when he’s nervous.
Maybe the evil antagonist has a soft spot for kittens (Hellboy).
Maybe an unjaded, innocent child plays a key role in the story (Remember the original and the reboot of the t.v. show “V”?).
Maybe the protagonist grew up surrounded by love and laughter, moves back into her family home and is reminded of those memories everywhere she looks.
Even the most sobering, the most depressing story can have its upbeat moments and a positive yet realistic ending.
Can our stories be believable and realistic yet sprinkled throughout with positivity? Yes, I believe they can.
PRACTICE
Spend ten minutes and write an intensely dark scene. List three or four ways you can shine a light into the darkness. Choose the most believable and write for an additional five minutes, bringing the light to bear.
Post your scene in the comments area and take the time to share some positive comments with your fellow writers/readers.
Now.
How do you craft a happy ending?
Your readers want your protagonist to get what they set out for, but if everything is miraculously, flawlessly perfect by the end, it may all seem a bit too good to be true. Create an ending that is positive but has a bittersweet edge, or simply reflects the struggles and sacrifices your protagonist had to make to get there. If you look to some of the endings of celebrated books, while they may be considered happy, there is usually something that keeps them from being entirely perfect, and that’s why readers root even harder and are even happier that the hero of your story got what they deserved in the end.
Tie up any loose ends
There is nothing worse than ending a book and going ‘is that it?’ If there are lots of unexplained elements to your book, or lots of parts to your story that remain open ended, you run the risk of frustrating your reader, no matter how pleasing your ending is. Tie up any loose ends before you finish your story - unless it’s part of a series that is in which case leaving them on a cliffhanger can be intriguing!
Keep it simple
Of course, the build up to the end of your story can be full of drama and tension and maybe even a twist or two. But when it comes to writing the actual ending don’t over complicate things. If you throw in distractions or suddenly add another element or layer you’ll only distract the reader, and this will make your ending seem weaker and take away from it somewhat.
Don’t use a cop out
Make you're ending thoughtful and meaningful. If your protagonist is in an impossible situation at the end of your book, think carefully about how to get them out of it. If they suddenly wake up and ‘it was all a dream’ or a magical unexplained force or character suddenly saves the day, your reader will feel cheated, and despite having resolved anything they won’t appreciate the way you’ve done it.
Don’t force a happy ending
If a happy ending doesn’t feel right, don’t force one just because you think it will please your readers. Write an ending that suits the style and content of your story, not all books have to have happy endings after all!
Snippets from my all my novels and novellas are available at BWL, Publishing and my website. www.novelsbyconnievines.com
https://books2read.com/u/b6rj10 (link to purchase)
Lynx, Rodeo Romance, Book 1
She moved to make a fresh pot of coffee, offering him an unobstructed head-to-toe view. He recognized the sassy, denim western shirt and was grateful for the ruffled blouse that concealed the rising curves of her breasts. He knew she had curves, he had felt everyone of them yesterday when he held her in his arms. Today he wanted no visual reminder of how lush her body really was.
Rachel returned and refilled his mug, and Lynx paraded his thoughts and a different direction. “What are you doing working the early shift?” he asked.
Rachel poured herself a mug of coffee, frowning at his question. Grabbing the sugar container, she poured a long stream into her coffee and stirred. “I couldn’t sleep. So I came in early.”
“Join the club.” He watched her take a sip of her coffee.
Her gaze flew to his, and he smiled, a measure of wicked satisfaction rushing through him at the telltale flush sweeping across her cheeks. He waited in anticipation for her response, but before she could reply, they were interrupted.
Charlene came around the corner, her arms full holding a platter containing his breakfast, Tabasco sauce and a bottle of catsup. Sliding the platter onto the counter, she said, “Nothing like a good meal to take the orneriness out of a man.” She cast him a smile before sitting down the bottles. He grinned at her, and Charlene blew him a kiss.
Lynx reached for his fork.
Charlene tossed her head, her blonde mane of hair tumbling around her shoulders. “Give Lynx a chance,” she hissed as she walked past her friend. “I bet he’s stubborn, but I have a feeling he can be awfully sweet.”
“Sweet” wasn’t a word Rachel would use to describe the tall Texan. “Sexy,” “tough,” “arrogant,” and maybe “charming.” “Sweet? Never. “I doubt it,” she said.
Charlene chuckled, and then glanced at Lynx. “Coward.” She tossed the word at Rachel before snagging a cup of coffee and heading back to the kitchen.
Was she a coward? Rachel glanced at Lynx’s bent head, the thick pelt of hair glistening under the lights. His hands were strong and capable, and oh-so-gentle, her heart reminded her.
With a soft sigh, the sweet memory of Lynx’s touched drifted through her mind leaving her achy and empty inside. Was she throwing away her chance at happiness with both hands? She wondered. Why was she thinking of that now? Shaking off the sensation of loss. Rachel glanced out the window at Lynx’s dusty red truck.
He’d be leaving soon.
Still, her heart overflowed with an indescribable feeling as she looked at Lynx. It was a shattering realization that frightened her—Lynx Maddox had found a way into her heart.
Coming attractions:
Bell, Book, & Gargoyle, Sassy and Fun Fantasy Series, Novella 2
Why does the doorbell always ring at the worst time?
With on hand trying to hold her hair on top of her head and the other stretched across the vanity, reaching for her hairbrush, Sybil Shayne frowned into the mirror as the door chimes echoed through her high-rise apartment.
“Oh, for the love of Max Factor,” she mumbled around a mouthful of hair pins, trying in vain to twist a stray lock of hair that insisted in obstructing her line of vision. Just one minute more and she’d have this pinned. . .
The peal of the doorbell as replaced by determined knocking. Whoever was out there wasn’t giving up. “Okay, okay. I’ll be right there!”
Jabbing one final pin into her hair and fumbling with a can of hairspray, she managed to fill her tiny bathroom with the sticky mist, before bounding down the hallway. Once she reached the living room, she screeched to a halt and forced herself to walk slowly. Think poised, she reminded herself. She did have a reputation to maintain. This could be one of her clients on the other side of the door.
Hand on the doorknob, she actually jumped when the doorbell sounded again.
Lipsticked smile firmly in place, she jerked open the door.
An attractive, dark-haired woman carrying a bundle of some sort, shouldered her aside and stepped inside the apartment. “Sib, shut the door. Hurry-up. I think someone may have followed me!”
Without though, Sybil automatically followed her best friend’s orders. Sliding the deadbolt lock into place for good measure. “What do you mean, you’re being followed” Standing on tiptoe, she glanced through the peephole to the outside hallway. “I don’t see anyone.”
After marching over to the floor-to-ceiling window, Pippa yanked the gauzy curtains closed. “Turn off the lights! Never mind, hold her.” She said shifting the firmly wrapped blanket into Sybil’s arms.
“She’s heavy,” she warned before darting through the apartment, snapping off lights like a wild woman.
Pippa was right this bundle was heavy. “What kind of puppy do you have, a St. Bernard? I feel like a holding a chuck of cement.”
“No! Don’t put her down. She’s not a puppy. Just keep holding her. Magdalena is her name by the way.”
“Not a puppy?” Sybil asked, alarm widening her eyes, and causing her voice to rise an octave or two.
“Pippa what are you up to now?”
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I hope you have enjoyed my article and the snippets.
I hope everyone has enjoyed a wonderful Holiday Season.
I am looking forward to 2018.
Happy New Year!
Connie
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