Comments for Making 'Baby Grand,' the Novel

Comment on Writing Tip #84 by Julie Proudfoot

Julie Proudfoot — Mon, 21 May 2012 02:12:09 +0000

Hi, I’m with you on this. To be left with nothing creates a disappointment that feels like I’ve just wasted time I could have spent on a story/book/movie that was actually finnished. It has to be said, endings are difficult to get right, or create at all for that matter and perhaps they’re difficult because they are SO important to a reader who will be left with either a good or bad feeling about the story/author. My two cents.

Comment on Writing Tip #84 by Jamie (@Scorpedo)

Jamie (@Scorpedo) — Sun, 20 May 2012 21:50:36 +0000

To me, that has to be one of the most irritating ways to end a story. Other than the worst version of “It was all a dream.” I love to write in some twists, and even small details that others will wonder about for the next book, but in no way would I just leave it with no answers what-so-ever.

Comment on Writing Tip #84 by Dina Santorelli

Dina Santorelli — Sun, 20 May 2012 20:24:40 +0000

Hey, lady! For me, the most famous example of a non-ending I can think of is for a television series — The Sopranos. I remember — like most people — being dumbfounded at first when the screen went black and thinking my cable went haywire at the absolute worst time. In time, I came to assign my own little meaning into why the series ended that way, because, as you said, I thought, “Gee, there MUST be a damn good reason,right?” Did I love David Chase’s ending? No. Did it leave an impression? Yes. Did it make me think? Yes. But for nearly 10 years of building characters, of making us form impressions about the things we SAW, why have our final impression be of something we didn’t see? I don’t know… Seems kind of like the easy way out… Gee, I should have included this in my post. LOL! Thanks for stopping by, Robyn!

Comment on Writing Tip #84 by RobynBradley (@RobynBradley)

RobynBradley (@RobynBradley) — Sun, 20 May 2012 18:36:37 +0000

For me, it depends on the novel or short story. If the vagueness feels contrived or gimicky in the I’m-doing-this-on-purpose-so-I-seem-avant-garde sorta way, then no. I don’t appreciate it. But if it makes sense for the story and characters, then yes. I’m okay with wanting more, as in “Gee, I’d love a few more bites of this delicious dessert.” I’m NOT okay with being left hungry, which is kinda how it sounds you were left with the story you were reading. Unless the author had a really good reason for letting us wonder about his knife-wielding character, I’m thinking I’d probably have been annoyed, too.

I’m trying to think of a really good example of a vague ending that worked, but I’m coming up short at the moment. I’ll jump back in if one comes to me. (And I think I might poll people on FB and see what they have to say — good, thought-provoking topic, D!)

Comment on Meet Author Rebecca Emin by rebeccaemin

rebeccaemin — Wed, 16 May 2012 06:46:57 +0000

Thanks for hosting me here on your blog, Dina!