Besides writing, I do lots of reading. I know it's important for writers to read alot, but I also just really enjoy it. I'll stay up late reading, read in between innnings of my children's ballgames, while in the bathtub, just about any place I can grab a moment. This is especially true when an author has pulled me into their tale, building the suspense, until I can't wait to see how it turns out. Often I don't want the book to end, but there is something wonderful about a satisfying ending. I'm sure you've all read those books that leave you thinking about them long after you've finished, replaying the scenes in your mind, and appreciating how the author tied it all together and crafted their story without giving away the end. And don't we all try to do that as writers?
This past week I read a scifi book by a very well known, successful author. This gentleman had published dozens of books and I've enjoyed a few of them. Most are more along the lines of what my son reads with lots of technical speak describing the size of guns and engines. This book had plenty of that but the plot was too interesting for me to be put off by that. I stayed up very late to finish it, wrapped up in the struggle of the main characters against alien technology and the resilience of the human spirit. I went into the last twenty pages, bracing myself for the defeat of Earth, when the author introduced a paranormal element. Suddenly, Earth had won and people were saved and totally accepting of this paranormal entity. I felt completely cheated by the denouement of the story.
The experience has prompted me to rethink some of the things I've written into the final book in Futhark Chronicles fantasy series. Have I provided a satisfying outcome that doesn't cheat the reader? Are there surprises, but surprises that make sense? Will the reader read 'The End' and feel the story is complete? Will the reader think back over my story and say, 'yes, that is what had to happen?'
I hope I have not made the ending of any of my books a case of 'deus ex machina,' but we all need to guard against this. Don't take the easy way out. Have you read a book that cheated at the end?
16 comments:
There's nothing worse than an unsatisfying ending is there? Reading a book is a relationship, it's a relationship we actually put quite a lot of time and energy into, and when we're cheated at the end, I hate that.
It's good that it got you thinking about your own work critically. For a writer, reading bad fiction is as important as reading good fiction, well, as long as we learn from their mistakes.
I can't think of an example at the moment, but I'm sure there have been a few that have left me feeling unsatisfied (although I'm a huge fan of open-endings, so I might have a different slant).
I think it's great that you read it now, and have gone on to think about your own ending. That's why the advice for writers is to read a lot - we can see what works and what doesn't. I sometimes rewrite endings in my head,if I'm not happy with them on the page. Good luck with it.
Endings can be as challenging as beginnings for writers. Your latest read is a great reminder for us all not to take the easy way out when wrapping up! I'm surprised the editor allowed it. It will be interesting to see fans' reactions.
I don't like those kinds of ending because they feel so contrived. It's like the author got to the end and didn't know how to save the day.
I rewrote the last key scene and ending to my first book so many times so that it would both make sense and feel satisfying.
It annoys me when the payoff for a book isn't as satisfying as the build up (especially when they start using deus ex machina like in your example). I'm a sucker for a good cliffhanger though.
I have to say that I am always ready to accept a cliffhanger, but not an ending that seems unbelievable. It does make you examine what you are writing and be more critically minded when you get to the words 'the end.'
thats how i felt at the end of the last indiana jones!
aliens! come on!
i get a good twist, but they can do better than that! make it plausible!
Stories with open endings are great, but it has to feel "complete", in a certain sense... and be believable too...
I'm popping in from IWSG.
Even LOTR had a deus ex machina. It's more common than we realize but not excusable. Altho, I will add, sometimes they just make for a fun story. ;)
That's so frustrating!!! I hate when that happens - and I usually never read anything by that author again. So annoying
I have read anti-climatic endings. Sometimes the story is so good that an awesome ending isn't necessary, although it would be great to have one anyway.
I loved your post. It's sometimes very annoying that unpubbed authors are held a higher standard than pubbed ones. Once they get pubbed and have a bestseller, those authors can break all the rules and even write drek and they sell. Meanwhile, we revise and perfect until our eyes cross...and then get rejected.
I can't think of a book off-hand, but Saving Private Ryan, at the end I felt cheated. I thought the blue eyes were those of Tom Hank's character. For one, the camera zooms in on the old man, then next zooms out on Hank's character. I was so disappointed that the director thought that was okay.
Nice to meet you, Susan.
Bad endings can ruin the entire story. Which is why I often cheat and read the end after a few chapters of the beginning, (I know, I know), to see if I want to read the middle.
I don't read nearly as much as I'd like to. I need to schedule some regular reading time every day. Maybe when I'm on my vacation I can start.
I've seen plenty of movies where I felt like the ending cheated me, but offhand I can't think of any books that did so.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Post a Comment