The right ending is always crucial.
I am currently in the process of writing the final scenes of the present draft of my WIP. Obviously there is still a lot of work to be done in terms of editing, formatting, publishing and so on but it’s a very exciting time nonetheless.
Actually writing an ending sequence is an exhilarating yet oddly intimidating task for me however. Especially since I have known how the plot would wrap up since long before I wrote so much as a word, getting it down on paper seems daunting now. I often find myself feeling this way; specific, major plot points – including the ultimate climax – live in my head for so long that I find myself almost hesitant to actually form the scenes in words in spite of my own anticipation to progress. I suppose it’s down to a fear that I won’t be able to do justice to the clarity within my mind and this inkling of doubt is more than enough to spark off some rather annoying bouts of procrastination from time to time.
Still, I press on regardless, as my desire to share stories is far greater than any fears I may have lingering in the depths of my rather bewildered brain.
Do you picture your ending long before you write it? Do you ever worry that your words won’t do your story justice?
Callum McLaughlin 
I always picture the end, and the beginning is usually easy. It’s the bit in the middle where I tend to go off at a tangent.
I can definitely relate to that! Thanks for reading and commenting 🙂
Before I ever start writing I always have the climax of the plot in mind. Then I write toward that, and throw as much trouble as I can in along the way. I usually have the end in my head about a chapter in. Then I try to figure out how to fit the pieces together and often wind up with my novel on its head before I get it right.
I like having a clear end-point to aim towards as well. It helps me keep focused despite letting the plot go on tangents and developing details along the way.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
You’re welcome! Writing this way has especially helped with the short stories I write for my blog. Short stories, if you haven’t written them, really force you to stay focused.
I have written a few and your absolutely right; they’re great practice as well as good fun in their own right.
They really are! And, thank you for following my blog.
You’re very welcome. I’m looking forward to exploring it some more soon! 🙂
Thank you, (-:
I don’t really need to answer this, since you probably know what I’m going to say (not that I repeat myself or anything!). I rarely, if ever, know the ending. Sometimes I have a vague outline in my head, I certainly have a sense of where the story will go. But the end happens as a progression and I let it come – whether that’s half way through or right at the crux of the matter. I suffer similar anxiety to you though; I get nervous about the ending – usually it’s a reluctance for it to end. Sometimes it’s as you said – anxiety about not doing the piece justice. I do plan more than I used to, but even now I leave the ending for my characters to decide 🙂
It was interesting to create the plot breakdown for the daily prompts this week because yesterday I actually wrote the end (ambiguous as it was). I couldn’t decide how it should end specifically because the progression thing matters and if I were writing that story – I wouldn’t know until the last minute.
Okay, so I’ve rambled enough for this evening! Interesting post and I’m glad you’re having fun with the WIP. I hope you enjoy writing those final scenes and I’m absolutely sure you’ll do the story justice.
I can totally understand that as well. When we’ve been working on something for a long time – and thinking about it for even longer – then wrapping things up and moving on to something else can be daunting.
It’s always fascinating to hear about how other writers approach things. Stepping out of our comfort zone and considering different methods is only ever a good thing, so thanks as always for sharing your thoughts! I’d never normally go into something without a clear end goal for the plot but perhaps it’s worth trying sometime.
Thank you also for the vote of confidence and words of encouragement, they mean a lot 🙂
“I often find myself feeling this way; specific, major plot points – including the ultimate climax – live in my head for so long that I find myself almost hesitant to actually form the scenes in words in spite of my own anticipation to progress. I suppose it’s down to a fear that I won’t be able to do justice to the clarity within my mind and this inkling of doubt is more than enough to spark off some rather annoying bouts of procrastination from time to time.”
^ THAT IS SO ME. I do that all the time. It’s like… I’m so close and wanna be done with it because I’ve been writing it forever, right? haha, but on the other hand I’m so reluctant to get to these scenes and then have them fall flat on their anticlimactic faces.
Not sayin’ I’m rejoicing in your fears, but I’m happy I’m at least not the only one who does that haha.
Excited to hear some official news on this thing, Callum!
Not to worry, I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one too! 😉 It’s such a double edged sword; you want it to be done but you want it to be done right.
I’ll be sure and update on here as things move forward. I’m that constant mix of excited and wanting to throw up so I guess I’m getting there slowly but surely!
I always know the beginning and the end…but the horrid middle snags me. Seems like a common problem.
Absolutely! At least we know it’s a collective problem 😉
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Endings are kinda like beginnings, in that they have to be really strong, and that can be rather daunting at times 🙂 I think it is easier when you know what the ending will be, though, if you know where the story is headed, I think it’s easier to get it all wrapped up into a satisfying conclusion.
Congrats on getting to the end of your manuscript! That’s brilliant news and worth celebrating 😀
I feel the same way. I like having a target to aim towards to keep me motivate throughout the plot 🙂
I’m pretty excited, I must say. Thanks for the support! 🙂
That’s a excellent question. Hmmm, I have a random idea how to end my stories but I must say that the last steps towards the ending sometimes surprise me a bit. Like, I am writing and then I read back and think ‘O? I didn’t know that, cool!’ lol 🙂
Lots of love
It’s always exciting when we can surprise ourselves with our own stories 🙂
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