Knowing The Plot, But Characters Don't Want To Play . . .

gothicangel · Jan 15, 2010

Seeing as there has been several questions on endings, here is mine . . .

Okay I've raced through the last 20,000 words of my novel. Now I'm into the last 10,000 end game. I know what is going to happen, but my characters seem to be putting up a resistance.

Any ideas of how to break through?

Quossum · Jan 15, 2010

I always experience an "end of the novel" slowdown. I've figured out that for me it's the dread of ending my romp with these particular characters. My best solution: Start thinking of the next novel.

Get really excited about it, so that you can't *wait* to get started on it. Then you'll find yourself wanting to get this one over with!

--Q

alleycat · Jan 15, 2010

You might let them "have their way" a bit, in much the same way a spirited horse might be ridden; in other words, keep a hold of the reins, but not too tightly--see where it takes you. It could be a serendipitous moment for you and them. Remember, life can be messy, or bittersweet.

Just a thought.

Jamesaritchie · Jan 15, 2010

Let your characters have their way.

Lady Ice · Jan 15, 2010

gothicangel said:
Seeing as there has been several questions on endings, here is mine . . .

Okay I've raced through the last 20,000 words of my novel. Now I'm into the last 10,000 end game. I know what is going to happen, but my characters seem to be putting up a resistance.

Any ideas of how to break through?

I think writers are reluctant to let go of their characters, hence this trouble. Unless the ending you'd originally planned doesn't fit?

*RomanceWriter* · Jan 15, 2010

The characters usually know best. If you force it your own way, it probably won't flow as well.
I was in my last 10,000 word slump, then the characters showed me a way out and I went with it. Nothing like what I expected, but it worked and now I'm almost done.

gothicangel · Jan 15, 2010

I had started writing an ending which involved a hostage scene.

I got 5,000 words into it and started thinking, what the Hell am I doing? I haven't been writing this kind of novel, why are you starting now? I think that maybe I'm still suffering the discomfort of attempting those scenes.

Either that, I suspect my MC doesn't trust me enough not to kill him!

Krintar · Jan 15, 2010

Just keep writing, let the characters run away with it, and if at the end what they did wasn't very good then you can always go back to your original plan.

Caitlin Black · Jan 15, 2010

Yeah, let the characters decide what needs to be done. For instance, in my last book someone had to die, because a character said so. The ending came together neatly after I figured that out.

Also, be careful with endings. I had planned about 20k worth of ending, but the main story ended after about 4k - so what was the extra 16k for? Tying up loose ends which weren't that important. So I ditched it and just did the 4k plus 1k of "epilogue" style summing up.

If an editor really cares that there were a few loose ends (ie. what happens with X character after she leaves the group? which isn't that important) then I can try and fix it, but I think it should be fine anyway. And as for that character who left - she comes back in the sequel, if I ever wind up writing the sequel.

Birol · Jan 15, 2010

This could be the characters not liking the ending or it could be you, not wanting to finish because, then what?

Finish. The. Book.

Canotila · Jan 15, 2010

The characters are resisting because it's not right. Let them lead you. I thought I had a super kick bootay ending for my story. They didn't want to play anymore, but I tried making them. You know what happened? One of my MCs killed himself. It was horrifying, so I found myself backpedaling to find out where exactly I had stopped listening and started forcing them to be my little marionettes.

When I figured that out and gave them their heads from that point, the entire story improved. And now it has a much, much better and more satisfying ending.

ishtar'sgate · Jan 15, 2010

gothicangel said:
Okay I've raced through the last 20,000 words of my novel. Now I'm into the last 10,000 end game. I know what is going to happen, but my characters seem to be putting up a resistance.

Don't force them. Maybe they know something you don't. Let them find their own way to the end.

Libbie · Jan 15, 2010

Go with what your characters want to do. That will ensure you're staying true to the personalities you've created.

mkcbunny · Jan 16, 2010

Another vote for letting the characters do as they will.

You may find a new ending, or they might do a lot of silly things that you later reject. Maybe they'll even do what you intended after a while. But you have to get it all out and explore what they're trying to do.

Lady Ice · Jan 16, 2010

Do what makes sense. Read over everything you've written so far so the thing works as a whole, and write down all the possible endings that might ensue. If the character 'says' another way is better, they're probably right. The character is unlikely to have turned out exactly as you thought they would when you started writing.

gothicangel · Jan 16, 2010

Thanks everyone. Today went much better.

Knowing The Plot, But Characters Don't Want To Play . . .

gothicangel

Toughen up.

Quossum

alleycat

Still around

Jamesaritchie

Lady Ice

Makes useful distinctions

RomanceWriter

New kid, be gentle!

gothicangel

Toughen up.

Krintar

Caitlin Black

Wild one

Birol

Around and About

Canotila

Sever your leg please.

ishtar'sgate

living in the past

Libbie

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

mkcbunny

Bufflehead

Lady Ice

Makes useful distinctions

gothicangel

Toughen up.