the end

by Anna Maria Hansen

 
If there are two words I find it hard to write, it's those.

For years, I have struggled with finishing stories. I get to to the last chapter of the book... and then... I can't end it. It's not that I don't know how I want it to end; how it should end; how it must end. I simply struggle with writing the final words.

Some authors I have read (in particular, Cornelia Funke's "Inkheart" trilogy) seem to struggle with the same thing. Their books go on chapters and chapters after every rational sense the reader has tells them the story is over and the author is just painfully dragging out the necessary ending.

In my opinion, the first chapters and the last sentences are the most important part of a book. If I'm not happy with the ending, I will never read the book again and my rating goes way down. I don't have to feel "happy" at the end of the book; I have been satisfied with book that ended quite sadly, and yet... well. I need to feel that I started -- and ended -- the journey, without being left out of any crucial steps.

I've tried one technique we've discussed at Writers Group: At the point you get stuck, go and write the last chapter and then you should see the story arch your characters will have to make to draw the story together. That did help me to see where I was going... and what I was missing in my character development.

But endings still get me. I struggle with those two words. Perhaps it's because my inner reader can sense that I haven't completed the story arch that I started. Haven't brought it to it's full height and tied up all the loose strings. Hmm.

This is what I write for.

Two words.

The end.

the value of critique partners

by Karen Dums

 
     A big part of Third Story Writers Guild is sharing our work to get feedback and a fresh point of view. It's most interesting for me when others bring material in for another's opinion, so much so in fact that often I fail to bring in my own writings. Is it because I think I've got in all down pat and don't need input? Heck no! But I can get so caught up in my role as facilitator that I treat it like a job -- more about me helping others than others helping me. Last evening I set that premise aside and brought in a chapter from my novel that needed help. Big time help. It was a scant two pages, sadly lacking in... something. My fellow Guild members pointed it out clearly.  My writing lacked in emotion for the protagonist, even though the setting was a funeral for a family member. Shouldn't that scenario be fraught with emotion? Slash a big 'DUH' across my forehead. I came away scribbling all sorts of ideas, with a new direction in my head that will make that chapter better.
     Last evening's meeting was a good lesson for me. We can get so caught up in our own words and ideas we fail to recognize something might be missing. It may be a good lesson for you as well. My advice to any writer: Share what you write with people you can trust; those who will give you good, solid, honest advice and opinions, then listen to it.
     Thanks fellow Guild members, you are the best.

 

the use of prompts in free writing

During Third Story Writers Guild meetings writing prompts are often tossed out to see what members can come up with at the drop of a hat. In a 10- to 15-minute time frame attempts are made to pen a paragraph or two. Following is Scott Schmidt's work on the prompt word cliché:

      "As luck would have it, it seems like there's no time like the present to open this can of worms. Some won't touch a cliché with a ten foot pole but I think one man's trash is another man's treasure. Some will avoid clichés like the plague, but I think beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Like my Daddy used to say, take the bull by the horns and if you play your cards right you can bet your bottom dollar that by and large everything will be fine and dandy.
      "But if you run fresh out of ideas, or find yourself at a loss for words, you can rest assured that by keeping your nose to the grindstone it's only a matter of time before a cliche' hits you like a ton of bricks. And that's only the tip of the iceberg. It just goes to show you that when you take the plunge and really push the envelope you'll be tickled pink to discover clichés you can really sink your teeth into.
      "At the risk of sounding like a broken record but in order to drive the point home I should remind you to look before your leap or you'll be an accident waiting to happen. Avoid having a knee-jerk reaction. Once you get past that and get the ball rolling you'll be like a kid in a candy store with clichés coming a mile a minute. But don't push your luck and put all your eggs in one basket. You don't want to be on the outside looking in because you bit off more than you could chew.
And last but not least it's been a pleasure to say that when you're on a roll and laying in on thick it never hurts to try, in any way shape or form, to go out on a limb, even when you're barking up the wrong tree."

reading books on writing

by Terri Kaiser


I will start this by saying I am not a fan of Stephen King's dark, quirky novels.  My boys would blow a gasket at that as they are his biggest fans, but I am not.  Now, that being said, I'm currently reading his book, 'On Writing,' and with this book, I am definitely a fan. The guy cracks me up.  He tells it like it is.  And he makes it okay not to follow all the rules.  Are there others out there that have used his book on their journey to publication?  Let me know your thoughts.