Best Amount of Resolution for End of Book

[Juliana]

I think this depends almost totally on the individual book. I've no strong preference any way so long as it works in that particular story.

I think Toby has it perfectly. It can be done beautifully in very different ways, but has to be right for that particular story and writing style.

 

[j.grey]

Personally I'm a fan of twist endings. I try to surprise my readers with at least something that they didn't see coming. My first travel book was entirely factual and had the worst ending ever. I rode with a friend, he headed off and I headed off in the opposite direction. It was a sad ending, the trip was over. Worst ending ever!!!

 

[Overread]

Personally I'm a fan of twist endings. I try to surprise my readers with at least something that they didn't see coming.

I think an author has to retain some element of surprise within the story up to the end. There's nothing worse than reading a book where not only can you predict every major event but you're correct each and every time without it feeling a chore. However such writing can appeal to younger generations as its easier to follow through the story.


In general Toby said it - there is no single method and no reader, I think, likes a single approach. The ending reflects the story itself and the nature of the content and target market. I would say that a general bit of advice is to try to tie-up the end in such a way that you can present enough information to suggest a continuation of the characters lives (unless you end with everyone being dead or suchlike); but without going into too much detail.

I'm reminded of how Robin Hobb ended her first Trilogy with a summary of a series of events that the lead character partook in. Taken alone it was a nice way to end the book and suggest that the character retained an active life and gave a hint into what he did; but at the same time she had to part adjust those simple summaries in a latter book to account for major changes she made in the world within following series. So summaries and wrap it up; but don't get too involved in it otherwise you might nip the story in the bud too well.



Also I would say that a mystery at the end can be a huge thing; look at films like Blade Runner which end with mysterious hints and not everything answered. When there are questions fans can talk and debate and battle over them. However at the same time I would argue that its bad to leave people on too much of a cliffhanger. It can leave the story feeling incomplete. Great when its part of a series; but if nothing else comes it can feel like the reader has been cheated.

 

[j.grey]

I have chatted with a friend who also writes. We agree (on one thing and probably only one thing) that it's fine to have a mysterious ending but you, the writer must know what happens next. When I finished a story (some time ago) I had the entire future of the character mapped out in my head. Anything less would feel unprofessional.

 

[Susan Boulton]

Finish the adventure your characters are involved in. Being it to a conclusion of sorts. Not everything tied with a neat bow. Life is not like that. It's like saying for now we rest, but tomorrow with move on.

 

[Overread]

I have chatted with a friend who also writes. We agree (on one thing and probably only one thing) that it's fine to have a mysterious ending but you, the writer must know what happens next. When I finished a story (some time ago) I had the entire future of the character mapped out in my head. Anything less would feel unprofessional.

That's a good point.
I wouldn't word it as unprofessional though; but I would say that if the writer has no idea then that does tend to come through in the writing. Too little information posted; information that contradicts other information; ending too suddenly even the nature of the ending itself. It can also really show in a sequel because the answer ends up being forced (or gets answered by introducing whole new reams of information that basically nulify the earlier writing)

 

[j.grey]

You've essentially summed up every Hollywood plot ever.

 

[Overread]

And that actually makes sense because a lot of hollywood films, whilst being written by one or two hands, are often cut and chopped and changed without any view to the overall larger picture. As a result by the end what was once a concise story can become a garbled mess very quickly. We can even see this in many "directors cuts" where key info is put back into the film - often cut out to stop it "being too long".

And yes most hollywood films do end poorly to setup the next film; Lord of the Rings is one of the fewer that totally changed that pattern. but in general films are a one shot wonder - even big giants like Disney end their films very finally

It's a western thing though; if you hop across and look at a lot of anime series you can often see many of them end, but dont' tie up all the loose ends and some don't even try to tie up any

 

[j.grey]

Jokes are funnier when you explain them.