Thinking about Endings #amwriting #amwritingscifi

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

So, for those of you who may not know this, I am a major pantster (write by the seat of my pants and all that). I want to outline, I really do. It just does NOT work for my creativity. My muse likes her freedom I guess :) Mostly I d have some rough idea of where I'm going with a piece, but sometimes I don't...and I'm currently in this spot where I totally have been banging my head against this novel, trying to decide how to take it.

See, I've been working with a theme/concept that is important to me. I teach about it and it's one of those times where I'm really working to integrate what I know of a topic (in this case, eugenics) and the broader story. To tie this novel all together, I keep debating about whether I want an ending that will work for just the main character, or do I want something more sweeping that will potentially aid in the broader world? Because, yeah, I weirdly want to leave the world I've created better than how I found it, haha.

Anyhow, this whole situation has gotten me thinking a whole lot about endings. There are so many varieties! Nice, neat bows with a happily ever after, loose endings that hint at something to come, cliffhangers, and just about every combination you can imagine. Personally, I don't really like tying everything together perfectly in my novels. I like there to still be a few little loose ends that leave the reader thinking about the characters after the story's done. I love to continue thinking about the characters and world and issues later on, so a pretty little bow often doesn't provide me with that food for thought. But, I do know that most people like everything all wrapped up.

I don't have anything wise or deep to add here, but as I go back to wrestling with my novel (I. Am. So. Close!), I'd love to hear your thoughts on how you like your endings!