Wednesday, February 4, 2015

IWSG - NON-ENDINGS

INSECURE WRITER'S SUPPORT GROUP


Thanks goes to these awesome co-hosts for their hard works and great comments: 

Gwen Gardner,
Dolorah, 
Sarah Foster, 
and M. Pax!


I read a book last night. Took me four hours and when I finished I was pissed. It ended in a cliffhanger. There was a beginning, middle, but no end! Why? It's a trilogy, but that doesn't give the author the right not to tell a full story, or does it?


I've read too many of these recently, decent books, but I resented the ending or lack of one. I can't write a review with such a bad taste in my mouth. Is this a new trend? Did I miss something along the way, because I was taught that a book, a story no matter the length, should have a beginning, middle, and an ending? Most flash fiction challenges expect the basics. Sorry, a little off script, but this really does rile me!


Anyway, that's not really an insecurity, more of a pet peeve, but as far as insecurities go – this month I have them all! Waiting on word from the publisher, the editor, and beta readers is enough to drive a person to drink! Okay, now I feel better – not really, but it sounds good! Right?


What do you think about not telling a full story in a book of over 350 pages, is it fair to the readers? Is it the new way of doing things? How do you deal with the waiting once you let your baby, I mean book go, and no, drinking is not an option?!

FYI



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57 comments:

The Happy Whisk said...

Sorry it left a bad taste in your mouth.

Laura Clipson said...

I agree, all stories should have a beginning, middle and end. Otherwise it feels unfinished; I hate finishing a book but feeling like I haven't actually finished it.

randi lee said...

I'm actually reading a book called "Beginnings, Middles & Ends" by Nancy Kress. She points out the same thing you do....books need an ending!!!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks for the tip on the book trailer contest.
I think a book should definitely have an ending. It needs to wrap up the conflict.

Sarah Foster said...

I get the desire to end on a cliffhanger just so the reader will read the next book, but it can definitely be frustrating if a book doesn't have an ending at all. It should at least wrap up most of the conflict, and then maybe leave one tiny little thing open that will keep the reader's attention.

February IWSG Co-host

Julie Flanders said...

I hope you hear back from everyone soon with all good news! I know how hard it is to wait. And I also agree with the frustration of no ending.

Pat Hatt said...

Oh yeah, should definitely have an ending, a cliffhanger like a tv show or something is dumb. Things should wrap up but leave some open questions to the overall arc, mythology, etc

Chrys Fey said...

All stories should have an ending, but a small cliffhanger to get readers to want to read the next book is always good.

ELAdams said...

I write series, but I always make each book a complete story. I don't mind cliffhangers, but only if the main story of the book is wrapped up so it feels like an ending, not like it's been cut off mid-scene!

Al Diaz said...

Mother Dragon hates, and I mean HATES, those type of stories without a clear ending. She gets all outraged about that and feels she has just wasted the time invested in such stories. Don't know if it is a trend but shouldn't be.

Annalisa Crawford said...

I don't write completely clear endings, but I think I always provide enough of a resolution to satisfy readers. A trilogy surely only works when each book has its own story as well as the overriding arc. You can't just take a novel and slice it into 3 parts!

Kathy Cannon Wiechman said...

I share your pet peeve. A story should have an end! It's OK to leave a few threads dangling if there is a sequel (or2), but there should be a wrap-up of the story.

Patricia Stoltey said...

Hi Yolanda! I like an ending to a novel, even if the ending is not a happy one. I also love great plot twists where the ending is something I didn't see coming.

As for reading four straight hours to finish a book? I let my To Do List get too long, I think. I need to remedy that so I can catch up with the stacks of books around my house and the huge selection I have on my Kindle.

Hart Johnson said...

I hope that wasn't me! In my defense, my books that are sort of "non-ended" say right on it that it was originally published serially (12 episodes) but the version now available is as a trilogy because it would be 1200 pages, otherwise... But I get just as made if it isn't clear. I read a Dean Koontz recently I gave 2 stars for exactly that. I was pissed.

Yolanda Renée said...

Heavens no, this is a novel, not a serial. Everyone knows going in with your book and others like them what they're reading. By the way, great job!
I found out after I read this book that the 'end' happens in book 3. That isn't right. The true workings of a trilogy I understand - I wrote one, but each book has to be a stand alone. A beginning, middle and end, a different mystery or plot for each book - just with the same characters!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hey Patricia:

I don't care what the ending is - just as long as there is one! At least for that book - the story arc for the trilogy can go on, but an ending for the book would be nice.

I would rather read for 4 hours, although, I can't claim they are straight, than watch TV for that long. And gosh, sometimes I just have to step away from that to do list and disappear!

Yolanda Renée said...

Exactly, Kathy!

It's not fair to the readers, those folks who spend the money!

Stephen Tremp said...

The first book of my trilogy ended in a cliff hanger and people were really upset. So I added the first few chapters of the second book to close out the first one. Problem solved.

Yolanda Renée said...

Hey AnnaLisa,

Endings are a lot different today, and that's fine, the more unique the better, but no ending should be outlawed! And that's exactly what she did - the end doesn't happen until book 3, but I won't be spending my money!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi Stephen:

Sounds like a solid plan! Cliff hangers are good for chapters and for setting up the next novel, but each book should tell it's own complete story.

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi Al,

I agree, hate is a good word for that. I hope she lets the author know!
Feel better soon!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hey Emma,

Perfect, I agree. Do not cut me off because I won't be buying the next one!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi Chrys,

I agree completely! Leaving readers unsatisfied is a crime! :)

Yolanda Renée said...

Hey Patt!

I don't understand why a publisher would even allow it?

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi Julie,

Good news would be great - any news would be a relief right now. Just some word - all I hear is the silence! You know with all those doubts that whisper - it wasn't good enough, try again, or start over! LOL

Yolanda Renée said...

Hey Sarah,

I ended each of my books as a stand alone. Maybe too many cliffhangers and intrigue inside to end it that way. But a teaser about book two is a good idea.

Yolanda Renée said...

Hey Alex,

Sounds like a good idea doesn't it. Book trailers are good, but only if someone sees them. :)

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi randi!

Oh good, at least that is the rule, hope more writers follow it!

Yolanda Renée said...

Laura,

Me too, when you invest your time and money into something - you need that satisfaction!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hey Ivy,

It's why I wrote the blog. I just had to let go of it - bad taste, now gone!

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

The way I was told was each book should stand alone. We have no control over what seqence the trilogies, so I would think the rule makes sense. No cliffhangers at the end of a full novel unless you plan to make the sequel part of the first novel eventually. Even still, bad taste.

Christine Rains said...

I also think each book should stand alone. Each one needs an ending to the story. If it is a series, it can have an over-arcing story, but the story for that book needs to have an ending.

Georgina Morales said...

I soooo HATE this trend of leaving books in cliffhangers! It's a vile marketing technique supposed to create interest in the sequel. All it does is anger me these days. Just because it worked for Harry Potter doesn't mean everyone should go on and do it. It's just lazy.

Can you tell how much I despise the tactic?

Maurice Mitchell said...

This is true of movies too and it's irritating. The best thing is to have a self-contained story that wraps up at the end and have another storyline that continues. That way the audience feels some closure. It works though since I'd watch the movie or read the book.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Cliffhangers are so frustrating. I want a complete story, not just part of it.

Denise Covey said...

I hear you, Yolanda! I think non endings are a cheap shot with the aim to get you to rush out and buy the next book, but it really has the opposite effect. Didn't those authors ever read the advice--don't p*i*s off your readers!

Let's talk again soon!

Denise :-)

Arlee Bird said...

The trilogies and series seem to be the way things are going in books and movies. I guess keeping a franchise going has the potential of generating more money. I do think each part should stand alone however. It's only fair.

Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out

dolorah said...

Nope, every book needs to have a stand alone plot Something to resolve that moves the overall series plot forward.

toasting you with a glass of Moscoto :)

~Sia McKye~ said...

I don't like clif hangers or serial story telling. If I grab a book inadvertly that is one I tell you, I don't bother looking at that author's work no matter how good the writing or story premise is. I'd rather wait until the whole story is done and then read it. I'm not buying it in bits and pieces. Trilogies are just a series involving 3 books. Each part carries one aspect of the story and can has a complete arc of beginning, middle, end. Granted the first book sets the overall plot and solutions goal and it also sets reasons to read the next book in the series but each story is a step in solving the problem--whatever it is.

I hate ambiguous endings too.

I hear you on being pissed off and not wanting to write the review. I think I've done one review involving a cliff hanger. I was pretty clear that I thought that the ending was a disservice to the reader even though the story was good.

Sia McKye Over Coffee

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

I totally agree with you about cliff-hangers. And the degree of my annoyance with a book like that is directly proportional to its length. Nothing like reading 400+ pages of intricate story, and then have it leave everything hanging, purely as a means to coerce readers into buying the next book. More and more writers are writing series, especially trilogies, (the "in thing", I suppose) but after investing my time and money into reading a book, I expect an ending, dammit!!!

No, I have no opinion on this matter at all...

I hope you hear from your publisher, editor and beta readers soon. (I haven't read the book yet, but my money's on it being as terrific as your others.)

Happy weekend!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hey Susan:

Thanks for the confidence! And I'm finding so many folks agree with us about the need for an ending, but it makes me wonder, why aren't the writers listening?
Loved your post today! Happy weekend to you too!

Yolanda Renée said...

I think lots of folks feel the same way, I've even had folks tell me they won't read my trilogy until all three books are done - surprising. Even telling them they're stand alone won't change their minds.
So no more trilogies!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hey Donna,

So good to hear from you, I've been thinking of you - really need to send an email - I've been bad about that lately! Take care! Thanks for the toast, all I have is Mango flavored water! Cheers!

Yolanda Renée said...

Several years ago, seems the publishing world wanted trilogies. When I was first approached regarding my first book, the question was an automatic, can you write a trilogy. I said of course, even though I hadn't thought of it until that moment. Therefore a trilogy came into being, but still each book is stand alone, a separate plot, mystery, etc, but the same characters moving on in their lives. I think it was the publishers more than the writers pushing it. But that's just my take, now it's gotten out of hand with unfinished books!

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

Cliffhangers are a part of the marketing so they are here to stay. Personally, I've noticed that they are very effective in getting people engaged on a conversation about a story. The more people are engaged, the more the pot kind of boils while the writer works on the next draft of their book. Thus it all feeds into the hype of the next pending release. Let us not forget, Yolanda, that writing is a "for-profit" business.

Yolanda Renée said...

Denise!

I do owe you an email! And nope I don't think they're listening - this person was supposed to be a bestseller and had over 450 reviews on her book, which I should have read more closely. Should have read the one star reviews instead of the five star reviews, and then I wouldn't have wasted my time!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hey Diane,

The time spent is so wasted!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hey Maurice!

Getting to be more so, some folks resent the happy ending so much, they do almost anything not to have an ending! Some get carried away!

Yolanda Renée said...

Exactly, stand alone, tell a full story - leave the reader satisfied!

Yolanda Renée said...

Totally agree Christine! You write them like no other!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi Georgina,

It seems to rile a lot of people! So good to see you again!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi Michael,

Apparently so! But there are some who are more successful than others! This book did not entice me to buy the next two, it only pissed me off! LOL

Ella said...

Hi Yolanda! I am with you-I want all three. It is an insult otherwise-just my opinion. I would feel cheated, as you did~ Sad, I certainly don't want this to be a new wave-

It is nice to visit you and thank you for dropping by :D

Mark Koopmans said...

I'm with you... when you had the bad taste... I get it that authors want to bring the reader back for book 2, but if the writing is strong enough, they will... out of natural curiosity alone.

I'd love to write a trilogy (who wouldn't) but could never think of leaving the reader stranded :)

Tammy Theriault said...

I would totally burn the book!! hahaha... that sucks!

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