This week: Tying Up Loose Ends Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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Fantasy Newsletter by Dawn
A look at endings along with the yarn or string bits that need handled in order to make a tidy, finished product (aka story). |
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While it's hard to consider the end of a story at the beginning of November, when many writes are writing the first words of their NaNoWriMo novels, but some times people start with the end so let's take a look at what comes near the end of things. Not endings exactly, but some of the bits and things needed to tied the story together with a nice little bow. Honestly, there are times when fantasy and sci-fi stories can get a little... complicated. One book is one thing but then there are the stories that space 3, 7, 15 book series and it would be easy to lose track of the little bits and different details that get woven into the tapestry of the bigger picture story. I'm also finishing a move, short term living situation, and have a lot of loose ends to tie up myself. I found out a few months ago I still had an Oregon address on an account when I had moved to California over 6 years ago. Oops. So, even in our daily lives there are things we do that require checking all the string to make sure we have things tidied up, it's just more fun when it comes to stories and characters instead.
What do we mean by loose ends?
Even when the main conflict or story gets resolved, whether writing a short story or a long series, there is the possibility of other, smaller strings of plot that need to get settled in order for the reader to feel complete closure. Easier said than done in short fiction, much more of a challenge in a longer series because some of those strands of plot help to bring the different books together but it's also easy to forget something.
It's not like with sitcoms where the main couple can have three different stories about how they first met that are different. Each time one is brought up it's funny. However, when someone watching the shows/series over and over, then they start to stand out a little more causing a niggling question in reference to the writer. Then again, when there is something minor, like a mention of a dream to own a sandwich shop that gets brought up a few times then becomes the focus of an episode, it's creates a nuance and nice way to tie things together. Subplots and minor point can be like that in a story. Sure the main plot with the characters is the focus, showing the reader how they get through the struggles and up to the big battle (or whatever creates the climax of the whole story) is going to draw the most attention. But the small things help build it up and bring it back down.
Which does bring us to talk a little about an ending. Often referred to as the denouement, this is the varied length of end after a big climax in a story to draw the reader down from the intense moment and tie up loose ends. What you do after the big conflict and how long you take to wind things down can vary depending on the story.
Have you ever read a story and while the big problem got resolved, there was something that happened part way along that still didn't get answered? And you can't stop thinking about that little part so you end up thinking about it after the story ends. It can be a number of emotions such as frustrating or incompleteness. It's something that we would like to avoid for readers, if possible. Which is where rewrites, edits and having beta readers can help. We might not always catch them on our own and plotting bigger series will be a challenge in particular. If you have someone awesome to help check for things like a stray chicken that got out of the coop (or some other metaphor about distracted story lines), all the better for you as the writer to get the story to the best stage you can possible.
But since it's the start of November, if you are writing a first draft. Don't worry about tying anything up for the moment, unless you are doing rewrites and edits. When in first draft mode for a story, just write.
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Do you have any difficulties with getting things to come together at the end of a story?
Last month, I discussed the concept of magic with considerations for fantasy stories with real magic, stage magic and even the use of science in speculative fiction stories. Here are the comments sent by a few different readers in regards to that topic:
Comment by dragonwoman 
I believe magic is a science. I have actually used both types of magic, for instance, Marvelous Melnish is a stage magician who tries an ancient trick and moves on to time travelling which could be called scifi or science. Most of my stories that include magic are what might be called 'real magic'. I think all magic is a science.
Comment by BIG BAD WOLF is Howling 
I use both magic and science, sometimes at the same time.
Comment by brom21 
In my writing I have to draw the line between religious/supernatural dynamics versus full-fledged mystical sorcery. In a religious piece, necromancy is a thing of evil and destruction. Rather than saying something is a magical talisman, I would define it as holy or blessed by God or even angels. I wrote a 1,500 word short story called Gabriels Lance. I call it a holy relic. So, that is my spiel. I hope it intrigued you!
Comment by Elfin Dragon-finally published
I'm with Arthur C. Clark on that I believe magic is often science we don't understand. But there is true magic. Something a bit more difficult to explain. And depending on the kind of novel I'm writing will depend on the type of magic I use. For instance, I don't believe dragons are magical beings, and neither are elves. But they may know how to do magic and the type of magic may depend on the type of dragon or elf they are.
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Fantasy: November 02, 2022 Issue [#11643]
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