It’s that last glimpse back as he runs for the train, or the sigh as the hot sun sets into the water with an all-but-audible sizzle, or the relief of confirming the killer.
Or not.
The closing words of any novel will either satisfy or they won’t. They’ll leave the reader thinking about the story and the characters, drifting in a semi-trance of remembrance … or making a grocery list and wondering if it’s time for a haircut.
The pressure is intense. For me it’s the part I worry about the most, because when I begin a story I never have a clear sense of the final page. I have a general idea of where the characters could end up, but not exactly how they’ll get there, and certainly not that all-important last paragraph.
To my mind, there are two ways to go after it. The first is organized and rational. Here are some of the I questions ask myself:
- How much do I want the reader to actually know about how it ended? Should the reader be left with things to guess about? Which things?
- How neatly do I want it all tied up? Which aspects of the story should reach a full conclusion and which should be left as an ongoing issue?
- Where will each of the characters end up geographically? Emotionally? Professionally? Who will be happy and who will be unfulfilled?
- What’s the theme of this story? What’s the last thing I want the reader to consider about this theme?
- Do I want a dramatic trumpet blare of an ending or a quiet sigh?
The second way is not to go after it at all—to let it come after you. I’m a firm believer that our subconscious minds are doing an enormous amount of work, picking up details, making connections, squirreling away information that our conscious minds are barely aware of. Who hasn’t had the experience of trying desperately to remember something, only to have the answer come when we stop thinking about it?
I try to think about the story with only the lightest touch, usually while doing something else, like taking a walk or a drive or a shower. Definitely not at my desk! I get a lot of ideas just as I’m waking up in the morning, when my mind is still in that dreamy state of receptivity.
I remember the moments when I figured out endings for Shelter Me and Deep Down True very well. Each time the anxiety had been building, and I’d been starting to think I just might come up empty. And each time I eventually realized I’d been carrying the ideas around in my head almost from the beginning, but hadn’t seen them as endings. Suddenly the puzzle pieces shifted, and it all came together. The relief was enormous.
Telling the story I want to tell makes me feel like a gymnast attempting a difficult routine. I love the challenge of it; I love leaping into the empty page and hoping I can get my words to spin and turn so that it all looks graceful and effortless. And the biggest challenge is knowing that even if I get all the moves right, if I don’t “stick the landing,” as they say, I’ll lose important points. It’s the last thing you’ll see me do, and if I do it well, you won’t even know I’m there. Hopefully you’ll be carried off by those last lines as if they created themselves.
Juliette says
Thanks, everyone!
Jess says
Hi Juliette!
I just came over here from Cheaper By The Dozen.
Thank you for the great tips and encouragement.
Can’t wait to read your books!
Blessings,
Jess
Marybeth Whalen says
Hey Juliette– I linked to this post today on my blog. Hoping lots of folks will stop by and read it! Good job!
Robyn says
Hi Juliette,
Can’t wait to read your new novel, since I loved the other two. Your comments about coming up with an ending are also inspiring as was your email about writing.
Best wishes for continued success.
Robyn
Terri Anderson says
I´ve been waiting for the jig! So pleased that you have another “under your belt” and if the last two are anything to go by, it will be even better.
It was wonderful yesterday to see “Shelter Me” as a recommended book in Amazon´s website.
I have to agree with Lori, the books are getting better! Felicidades!!
Susan Salluce says
Congrats, Juliette! So huge. I remember saying good-bye to my characters in their final scenes of Out of Breath and crying. I didn’t want to finish Deep Down True because I really fell in love with your characters. The ending was very satisfying, by the way. It’s like I want to know what everyone is doing now. I miss them! I’m battling shingles right now and all I do is read, write, and stare at the T.V. I remember hearing various speakers at writing conferences talk about endings. Happy, sad, unfinished, leaving the reader wondering. I got nailed for a too happy ending; too well-put together and so I revised it. I like my new ending much better. I like a happy ending but with some angst also. I guess that’s real life, isn’t it? Even when there’s grief and loss, we have hope but it can be a bit messy. I’ll look forward to your new book. Meanwhile, I’m looking for cover art for mine and putting together a query for my second novel…the fun never ends!
Carol Newman Cronin says
Congratulations on reaching the finish line! I know just how you feel… it’s not really “done” but it’s still a great mark in the sand once you know how the story comes together. And yes, we all doubt we can write another ending until we actually do… so make sure you celebrate!
lori dacey says
Congrats Julie–I am sure this new book will be great–you just keep getting better–love you–Uncle Jim and Aunt Lori