Word Witch Wednesday - endings

Finding a book with a fantastic ending is difficult. Most of the time, I know what to expect. The hero will triumph, hope and light will pull them through, and romance will deliver a happily ever after/happy for now. Hopefully it ties up all loose ends and circles around to link with the beginning. Knowing how stories will end doesn't stop me from reading them, but I do get frustrated when I come across horribly done endings and love it when I discover a marvelous ending.

No writer is flawless. Even some of my idols like Stephen King have books with endings I dislike. I won't name any off as not to give spoilers, but even certain classics have bad endings.

Endings are difficult. I know many writers that spend a lot of time on beginnings, and those are important too. Yet so many just give the expected ending without any twist or flair. I try to add in exciting twists, and there have been a few times I've created such a great villain, I don't see how the heroes can defeat her. Then it's back to rewrites.

I recently finished the final book in my Totem series. I worried a lot because, as a pantser, I had no idea how it would happen. When I finally wrote it, I sat back in my chair and stared at the screen in awe. Yes, this is one of those amazing endings. Circular, emotional, thrilling, and elegant. (I might be a bit biased. We'll see what my readers think once it's released.)

Stories and characters stay with me. Few endings have ever wowed me. One that stands out in my head is the spectacular climax of the fantasy series, The Troy Game by Sara Douglass. It came together in such a tension-filled, complex, and beautiful way.

What are your favorite endings from books? What are some of your most frustrating ones?

The 13th Floor Collection blog tour carries on!

Have you ever imagined different endings for your stories?

I've thought about so many ways my tales could end, but they always lead me to where they want to go.

Visit M. Pepper Langlinais' blog to read the alternate endings to the 13th Floor novellas. Could the series have ended with a tragedy? Maybe there would have been different couples?

Click and find out!

Enter this week's giveaway for a chance to win a copy of the collection!

A reminder that the Realms Faire 2013 is less than a month away!
I'll be competing in the Joust this year, or rather, my champion will be. Please come support him in his quest to unseat last year's winner.
Mary has done such a fantastic job with the badges.

My knight:

NaNoWriMo 2012 - day ten update

Word count as of last night: 18453

I just managed to get in my minimum word count yesterday. The boy is sick and barely napped. I might have a touch of what he has. I feel drained, exhausted on every level. Though it could be from the week I had.

I'm still having fun with the story. I'm working more on the romantic plot and the big villain is about to make an appearance.

My favorite bit from yesterday: "Me and Jagger? No. No, no, no." Not enough nos in the world to make that point clear. "We're only friends. What he meant, geez, I shouldn't be telling you this, but Irca likes you. A lot. And Jagger has always had a thing for her. So catching you and I together makes him mad because it would upset her. God, this sounds like some bad high school drama."

I finished my revisions of 1301 and sent it off to my CPs and betas. I did some serious changes at the beginning and added more to the end. The meat of the middle remained solid, but I always worry about beginnings and endings the most because they usually leave the biggest impressions.

I have no plans for the weekend except to nurse my poor sick boy and catch up on sleep. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

One day until Gen Con

Gen Con tomorrow! Woo-hoo!

I finished my third revision last night. I added some details to the ending and hopefully it will make it feel more complete. Endings are sometimes difficult for me because I don't want my story to end. The world doesn't stop moving on in my head even when the story has to come to an end. It's important to know when to end a story. Dragging it on too long will bore the reader. Cutting it short will leave the reader feeling dissatisfied. I considered adding an epilogue to A Lion's Heart, but I don't think it needs it. Everything was tied up neatly at the end. At least I hope it is. I will have to get my critique partners' opinions and find myself a few beta readers who know paranormal romantica well.

I've got errands to run and cleaning to do. Packing will be done this evening. My husband has been gone these past few days and hopefully he'll be home early this evening to help out. I know anything I put into something will be immediately taken out by a small child.