Comments on Virtual Wordsmith: January AW Blog Chain

I really like your point that you don't read the f...

2008-02-05T08:32:00.000-06:00

I really like your point that you don't read the first chapter and the last to decide if you liked the book.

At the end of the day, it IS about the whole book, the journey.

So, let's recap. LOL. The whole book has to be awesome, and the ending has to completely wrap up the story and not piss off too many people. Does that sound right? (grin).

Great post.

You know, I kinda agree with what Rebecca said - t...

2008-02-05T02:03:00.000-06:00

You know, I kinda agree with what Rebecca said - the ending isn't entirely the ending, but rather, just a conclusion. But then, this, of course, is what makes it easier to write serials and series.

And I think it's also what keeps me coming back to specific authors - if they've hooked me enough that the ending feels like it came too suddenly, then I want more...

Please, sir, can I have some more?

That journey bit in the middle is the thing I find...

2008-02-03T01:27:00.000-06:00

That journey bit in the middle is the thing I find tricky when writing novel-length things. Beginnings and ends tend to be there, but they don't mean anything if you can't get the rest right.

I totally agree with the saying. I hate seeing pe...

2008-02-02T19:10:00.000-06:00

I totally agree with the saying. I hate seeing people race through books to just get to the end. Organization is key and I think that holds especially true for non-fiction.

I liked the way you expressed your ideas so clearl...

2008-02-02T13:47:00.000-06:00

I liked the way you expressed your ideas so clearly.

"The end is never really the end at all."Yes, that...

2008-02-01T17:35:00.000-06:00

"The end is never really the end at all."

Yes, that's one of the reasons that series books and sequels are so much fun. If the characters, setting and plot are wonderful, then it's always a delight to go back and see what other interesting things those folks did.

Stories never actually end at the ending anyway. E...

2008-02-01T07:50:00.000-06:00

Stories never actually end at the ending anyway. Even the ending is a part of the journey. There needs to be a story conclusion but generally the story continues after the final page.

I always wonder what happens to the couple after the happy ever after in a romance book. Do they marry? Have a hoard of kids? Does he leave her for a younger woman when she's forty? Does she die a horrific death the next year? The end is never really the end at all.

While it's true that the journey is the point, if ...

2008-01-31T22:49:00.000-06:00

While it's true that the journey is the point, if it leads to a destination that makes no sense, it can kill the resonance of the story and leave the reader feeling like the journey wasn't worth their while.

I rarely come across such books, but when I do, I make a mental note not to read that author again. With so much else on the shelves out there, I prefer to not invest my time and emotions in stories that lead to dumb destinations.

Endings and beginnings are just as important as th...

2008-01-31T22:23:00.000-06:00

Endings and beginnings are just as important as the journey from start to finish.

A bad ending kills the whole book for me.

2008-01-31T12:57:00.000-06:00

A bad ending kills the whole book for me.

Good post, it isn't all about the ending. With me...

2008-01-31T11:50:00.000-06:00

Good post, it isn't all about the ending. With me, the ending influences how I feel about the book after I've closed it -- Am I satisfied with the story? Do I continue to ponder the fates of the characters (a good thing, when the characters keep living in your head after you've read their story)? Or do I feel frustrated, like something is missing? But I need not think the whole book misses the mark, even if I disagree with the ending.

You're right...it is a journey, but when I'm writi...

2008-01-31T11:16:00.000-06:00

You're right...it is a journey, but when I'm writing I do feel like there's a destination. If I didn't have a destination, I'd ramble on forever. But I know what you're saying; it's not all about the ending, and I agree.

"writing is about giving thought organized form"th...

2008-01-31T08:32:00.000-06:00

"writing is about giving thought organized form"

that phrase is sticking with me. I'm sure I'll be pondering it in the back of my mind all day. :) Thanks, Lynn!

A very clear and to the point take on this topic! ...

2008-01-31T08:24:00.000-06:00

A very clear and to the point take on this topic! :)