How Do You Get to The End

I hit 50,000 words yesterday. I know, I know, I’m the slowest writer ever.

Here’s my problem: I have two different ways to end the story and I honestly don’t know which one is right.

My plan is to write the one I’ve started, beta it around, and then determine if I should take the story a different direction. Sometimes my CPs will slap me and say, “It can’t end like this. You left XYZ too loose, you didn’t tie off this thread.”

That’s just one of the many reasons, I love my CPs.

Do your stories have alternate endings? How do you decide which one is best?

29 Comments

William Kendall

January 17, 2012 at 10:43 pm Reply

I decided early on that I’d end with a conversation between three of my characters. I also knew that I wouldn’t know what would be said in that conversation until I actually get there and write it. It’s close now, so I’ll either have to decide quickly who says what, or improvise entirely.

You could decide it with a high stakes game of eenie meanie miney mo….

Becky Wallace

January 17, 2012 at 10:48 pm Reply

@William: It may come down to 🙂

Jess

January 17, 2012 at 11:05 pm Reply

When in doubt, quit procrastinating and kill them off. Who’s them, you say? Well, Becky, I think you know the answer to that.

Just kidding, I’m just messing with you. January 23 is nuuuuuuuddddddgggge day (*lifts hands in manner of spooky threatening critique ghost*)

Becky Wallace

January 17, 2012 at 11:34 pm Reply

@Jess: OH MY GOSH! How did it get so close? AHHH!! *writes frantically* “And the house blew up and everyone died. THE END!”

Jess

January 18, 2012 at 1:53 am Reply

Hmm. A house explosion could be too predictable~ maybe a pseudo-happy ending, followed by mass food poisoning from McDonalds? McDonalds might sue, and that would get your book even more attention!

Becky Wallace

January 18, 2012 at 2:33 am Reply

Hmmm…I like pseudo-happy. But what about an outbreak of a genetically manipulated virus? I mean, that would be a surprise. Right?

Redleg

January 18, 2012 at 2:56 am Reply

It turns out they were all in cold sleep on a mission to Mars…THE WHOLE TIME!

Jess

January 18, 2012 at 3:22 am Reply

A virus! Perfect! It could lead right into the post-apocalyptic sequel.

Becky Wallace

January 18, 2012 at 3:36 am Reply

@Redleg: But who killed the ferret? (No…there isn’t really a ferret in my story but maybe I’ll add one. Everyone likes ferrets. Or hamsters. Basically cageable rodents.)

@Jess: Yes! I will be the first writer to sell a series that jumps genres for every book. Genius!

Laura C.

January 18, 2012 at 6:20 am Reply

No, the crown of slowest writer ever is MINE, MINE, ALL MINE! Mwuhahahaaa!

Seriously, I’ve been working since Sept and just broke 38k. Like you, I have two possible endings. Or rather, two possible villains. I’m not sure which one will be the brains behind the evil plot, so I’m waiting to see what pans out as I go.

Congrats on hitting 50k! That’s no small accomplishment. 😀

Becky Wallace

January 18, 2012 at 1:47 pm Reply

@Laura: We’ll have to rule the Kingdom of Slow together! I started Siren in April. Granted, I revised one novel, had a baby, and wrote 12k on another novel, but still…it’s been nine months! Ugh. Kicks myself.

William Kendall

January 18, 2012 at 7:51 pm Reply

The butler kills everyone in the final act. The end.

Wait, there was no butler in the book? No problem, just bring him in and say he was up in the attic looking for skis. Then have him attack everyone with a cleaver.

Carrie Butler

January 18, 2012 at 11:03 pm Reply

Which ending makes you ache when it’s over? That’s how I decide. I like to be nervous throughout the last third or fourth of the book, but I want to breathe a sigh of relief (even if it’s only temporary) at the end. Ten minutes later, I want to regret that the book is over–that I have to leave the book’s world and return to mine. Anyhoo, good luck with your decision! 🙂

Good luck! 🙂

Laura C.

January 19, 2012 at 8:32 am Reply

“…I revised one novel, had a baby, and wrote 12k on another novel…”
That’s it? That’s all you did? Slacker.
Meanwhile, I’m lying on the divan, eating bob-bons, and contemplating a title for my next novel. Maybe later I’ll wash my hair…

Lindsay N. Currie

January 19, 2012 at 12:33 pm Reply

Hehe. . . your CP’s love it too:) So, I think this is a great way to handle it – try one and you can always be working on a different one in a sep. doc while the MS is being read, you know? Looking forward to the great ending debate of 2012!