Writing the Happy Ending
For me, the ending of a book is the most challenging. Not the last chapter, but the last 100 pages leading up to the end. It’s the part where you have to raise the stakes, continually increasing the tension until the characters face their worst fears…and must overcome them.
Every time I write a book, I can plan the ending all I want, but it never seems to turn out the way I think it will. These last five chapters are so critical and every scene has to be tight. I’ve been paddling my wheels for a bit now, but am now realizing that unless I outline the last part, I’m just floundering around. Tonight I spent a good bit of time just figuring out how I could possibly make these characters’ lives even worse. Make them suffer….
I’m almost there. There’s a logistical part of the book that’s gnawing at me. I have to move my characters across Ireland to the hero’s home tribe, and the whys and wherefores are a pain. I’ll get there eventually, but it’s such a struggle. 
Kindergarten Boy still amuses me. He took his first field trip to an apple orchard and excitedly informed me that his class was going to make apple sauce. I had my doubts about that one, having made apple sauce myself in the past. The next day he proudly explained that while he was at recess, his teacher made applesauce out of the apples they picked in the orchard.
Me: Um, honey, I think she probably had the applesauce already made. (Inwardly, I’m thinking it was probably storebought.)
Him: No, Mom! She made it FOR REAL. She went to the cafeteria and cut up the apples and used their pots and it was ready, just in time for when we got back. It was magic! I swear!
Ah well, who am I to burst his bubble? 
Michelle posted in Writing @ 9:30 pm | Viewed 2267 times
Holly Says:
Hope you’re able to make your characters lives just miserable enough to make everything come out in the “wash.” hehe.
As for Kindergarten boy…Awwww….Kids…you just gotta love ‘em for their absolute belief in everything.
beth Says:
I’ve always figured that the “just miserable enough but not too miserable” balance was incredibly difficult. Otherwise you wouldn’t have the books on the cringe-inducing side of the spectrum (way too miserable) or on the “huh, where’d the conflict go?” side. Good luck! So far from your first two I’d say you’ve got the process nailed.
The applesauce is awesome…I need some magic applesauce!
Kelly Says:
I never write my ending in the first draft. I have a good idea of what it will be but it usually changes somewhat, so I usually wait until the second draft to write the last 50 pages.
Leanne Says:
I agree with Holly on the miserable aspect of the book. As for Kindergarden boy, he is a sweetheart. Don’t you wish we could all believe like the little ones do? Hope everyone has a great day.
Leanne
Tori Lennox Says:
Hey, maybe it really WAS magic! You never know.