Writing Excuses

18.48: NaNoWriMo Week 5 - Writing Endings

Nov 26, 2023

The hosts discuss writing the end of a book, including elements such as environment, pacing, inversions, character changes, and the denouement. They emphasize that there is no right way to do NaNoWriMo and reassure listeners that not finishing or reaching 50,000 words is still a success. They also provide advice for writing the ending of a series and discuss the importance of leaving some questions unanswered and creating emotional impact. The importance of finishing, revising, and giving characters insecurity is also discussed.

23:09

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Quick takeaways

Creating a satisfying ending is crucial in storytelling, providing closure and allowing readers to emotionally process the story.

Crafting an ending presents unique challenges for authors, requiring stillness, reflection, and the opportunity for characters and readers to feel the impact of the journey.

Deep dives

Importance of a satisfying ending

Creating a satisfying ending is crucial in storytelling. Endings provide closure and allow readers to emotionally process the story. Authors often prioritize beginnings and overlook the significance of endings. However, it is essential to focus on the resonating impact of the conclusion, allowing readers to reflect on the journey and feel the full weight of the story. Endings can be a restatement of the story's thematic elements, encapsulating the core essence of the narrative. By mirroring or inverting the pacing and tone of the beginning, authors can provide a sense of satisfaction and set the stage for future books when writing a series. While leaving certain questions unanswered can maintain curiosity and leave room for future exploration, authors should ensure that the primary conflicts and emotional arcs find resolution.

Establishing Abilities, Revisions, and Learning to Write

02:38

Introduction

2min

The Importance of a Satisfying Ending

9min

The Importance of the Writing Journey and Crafting Satisfying Endings

2min

Leaving Questions Unanswered and Creating Emotional Impact

3min

The Importance of Finishing and Revising

6min

Writing Endings and Giving Your Character Insecurity

2min

Welcome to the last week of National Novel Writing Month! It’s okay if you aren’t going to finish your book, and it’s also okay if you don’t have 50,000 words! You still did a thing—you created a story that didn’t exist

We want to talk about endings. How do you even write the end of a book? How do you do NaNoWriMo? There’s no right way! But there are several elements that can help you figure out how to write the end of your book. Our hosts give you guidance for environment, pacing, inversions, character changes, and the denouement.

DongWon tells us why writing an obvious ending is not a bad idea, and Mary Robinette gives us advice for writing the ending of a series.

Also, Dan offers a wonderful reframe for November if you’re not near the end of your book, or you didn’t reach 50,000 words. (Spoiler: it’s okay. You did, in fact, succeed.)

Homework:

Aim towards the MICE elements you opened. We're talking about the big ones here. In an ideal world, you begin letting your character have simple Yes or No answers to the "does it work" to close out the major threads in the inverse order that you opened them. Nesting code.

Thing of the Week:

A final pep talk from Mary Robinette!

Liner Notes:

Better Call Saul

Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson.

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