Into the Fire

Passionate thoughts about the world of writing and the Power of God

 

Can you think of novel endings that didn't end well? Were you disappointed? Did you react? And what does "ending well" constitute to you? Or perhaps it was the climax which sent you over the edge. The twist maybe? You didn't buy it?

What bugs you the most about novels that don't end well? What does that phrase "ending well" mean to you?

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God, one thing we forget so easily on this earth is that the only way things "end well" for us is by knowing your Son. Jesus is the answer. So opposed in His time on earth and to this day by so many, we recognize our hope is in Him for the great ending to what is often difficult, tragic, traumatic, and sorrowful. There through it all, we covet your presence in our lives, your encouragement for our days, your instructions for our actions. We struggle to acknowledge your incredible love amidst the cruelty and sin but accept that you feel the pain more than we do. You save from it all. And welcome everyone. Help us to remember and to demonstrate your love and salvation. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

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8 responses to “When it doesn’t end well . . .”

  1. BK Jackson Avatar

    Generally speaking, the two ways a novel doesn’t end well are:
    The Abrupt Ending: Where it feels like the author got tired of writing the book, got out their big ginsu knife, and just lopped off the rest of the story so they could finish it and move on to another project.
    The Plenty Of Loose Ends Remaining Ending: It’s a fine balance to tie up plot threads and emotionally satisfy the reader without beating it to death, but sometimes novelists err on the side of not tying up enough loose ends or closing things out and you close the book thinking “I spent 300 pages reading this book and THIS is all the wrap up I get?” In these cases the novel feels undone–like you’re watching a mystery movie where they never reveal the answers.
    Those two things drive me NUTS!

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  2. Nicole Avatar

    Great points, Brenda. In commenting on your second point, I hate it when the ending is just a set up for the next book in the series. And I know exactly what you mean by the Abrupt Ending. There are times when it works but mostly not.

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  3. Brenda Anderson Avatar

    How a book ends plays a huge part in whether I enjoy it or not. I’ll agree with BK on both her points.
    Abrupt Endings are very annoying, as when characters suddenly have a change of heart & then they live happily ever after. I want to experience the transition of heart not be whip lashed with it.
    As for too many loose ends, I don’t need everything tied up in a bow, but there does need to be some resolution.
    I know there are other things that bug me, but my brain is still asleep this morning. 🙂

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  4. Nicole Avatar

    Your brain is just fine, Bren. 😉 My dog got me up early but didn’t have to go out. What’s up with that? He went back to sleep once I got up.
    Common denominators, these. Good point about the drastic change of heart with no inkling along the way. Also the change of heart that comes too late for me to care. (Love the whiplash image!)

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  5. BK Jackson Avatar

    It’s part of the evil genius of dogs, Nicole. Just like my dog never has to go to the bathroom at night till I sit down to dinner. 😎

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  6. Nicole Avatar

    Stinkers! You have to walk yours, right? I just have to let mine out fortunately, but, no, not this morning. Just needed me to be awake while he slept. ???

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  7. Mark Young Avatar

    In my opinion, a book must end with all the conflicts and issues resolved in some manner–not trite, shallow or unbelievable. If I can say “ahh” when I reach the end, then the author lived up to my expectations. But if I say “Huh?”, it was a bad ending for me.

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  8. Nicole Avatar

    You’re tough, Mark. “All” the conflicts and issues resolved? Maybe by that you mean nothing forgotten and left dangling? Because it seems to me that Off the Grid left us with a bit of a tease. 😉

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