I read/heard somewhere that "you shouldn't start writing unless you know how it's going to end".
What say you?
What say you?
How accurate is this statement?
- Thread starter Azure Skye
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I like to know how it ends, tho I didn't for my NaNo novel until a few chapters in, & even then was surprised by some reveals.
I know, however, that lots of writers like to just let their characters show them how the novel should go, which would have to change the ending, I would think.
I know, however, that lots of writers like to just let their characters show them how the novel should go, which would have to change the ending, I would think.
Writers should write. It may be helpful to know how things end, but even if you think you do, stories evolve and change as you write them, and the ending you write will probably be different from the one you envisioned when you started. Don't let not knowing the ending stop you from starting.
I would say it's nonsense, since I know a successful novelist who almost never knows how her novels are going to end when she starts them.
In nonfiction stories (newspaper) I may have a general idea of how I'll end the story but in fiction, even when I think I know how it will end, once I start it usually changes a bit.
I prefer not knowing. It's more fun that way; if you tie yourself down to a particular ending, you miss out on all the other roads your characters could travel.
I would love to know how it is going to end when I start writing...but my characters refuse to tell me, surprising me constantly through out the book. I'm just as shocked by some of my endings as my readers are. The characters honestly take on a life of their own and like Tish said, even if you think you know the end, you might still be surprised when you actually write it. Having said that, I don't think there is anything wrong with knowing the end (even if I never do) or at least having a general idea what the ending will be. Writing is a craft in which prefrence and style come into play in a big way. Just do what works for you.
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I'm 50K into my WIP and I still don't know how it's going to end. It'll get there. It's the journey that counts, right?
storygirl said:
I'm sure there's a WHO'S THE DADDY!!! punchline in there somewhere but I'm too much of a lady to even refer to it.
scarletpeaches said:Stop trying to bring me down, man. I got my winner's cert this evening.
Go to your User CP for your rep point. Now can I tease you, huh, huh? 
Oh, go on then. I'm in a happy happy joy joy mood.
I still want to be in Ray's WIP though.
Mmm...Ray...whip...sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet...
I still want to be in Ray's WIP though.
Mmm...Ray...whip...sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet...
Interesting. The first time I read that statement I thought, ok, I'll give it a try. The first draft I wrote by the seat of my pants. After reading it, it was painfully evident that I did too. Second draft, which hasn't been started yet, I decided to write a loose outline with a clear ending in mind. The few attempts I've made at the second draft have been somewhat hard as I keep wanting to stick with the outline. Ack! Ah well, I'm still learning.
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How about changing that phrase to: "you shouldn't start writing unless you know how it's going to start"
I never know how my WIPs are going to end, until they do. Having a vague idea often helps, but the ending changes as the story proceeds, so it's not really necessary.
I never know how my WIPs are going to end, until they do. Having a vague idea often helps, but the ending changes as the story proceeds, so it's not really necessary.
Even if you start out thinking you know how it ends, how likely is it that you'll end up there when you're done? In my experience, not very likely. Hell, even at the halfway point I'm a different writer than I was when I started, nevermind at the end.
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Thanks Azura Skye! This thread has been very encouraging for me. The plot for my first novel came together in about five minutes one night (of course, just the major points, making the journey a reasonably confident blast.) And then nothing. Starts and stops and panic attacks because I had characters and a beginning and maybe a few scenes. But no idea what the story was "about" or where it was going. So, after some serious moping and self-doubt (and a little nudge from those inclined to nudge) I took a leap with an idea that is nearly entirely untethered. I'm on chapter three and still don't have much of a clue, bt am loving the writing part. Fingers-crossed, it'll amount to something.
It's great to know that it's legit to fly blind!
It's great to know that it's legit to fly blind!
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Girls... this ain't the house of love. Stay on topic!
Back on topic, really... part of the fun of writing a novel is not knowing where it's going.
Back on topic, really... part of the fun of writing a novel is not knowing where it's going.
I always know how my books start. Rarely how they end.
And I like that.
Like many, I see scenes in my head and write to them. However, most of the time, the scenes are in no particular order. I just know visually, in the walnut that is my brain, they are stunning and need life. They need a forum to be seen, heard, felt, or sounded (though I;m not ego-centered enough to believe they will change the world; just my own).
Eventually, those scenes move the characters toward some summation of the thing. With my latest effort, the ending happened as a result of writing something five chapters previous. That's when I went, "Booyah," and got my ending.
In closing, I've always felt that whatever parts you seek will come with time, diligence and effort. Some discipline, too. And also letting go and allowing imagination to run its course. A good night's sleep helps. So do seven to nine Guinness Stouts. Whatever makes the little hand swing around the clock.
And I like that.
Like many, I see scenes in my head and write to them. However, most of the time, the scenes are in no particular order. I just know visually, in the walnut that is my brain, they are stunning and need life. They need a forum to be seen, heard, felt, or sounded (though I;m not ego-centered enough to believe they will change the world; just my own).
Eventually, those scenes move the characters toward some summation of the thing. With my latest effort, the ending happened as a result of writing something five chapters previous. That's when I went, "Booyah," and got my ending.
In closing, I've always felt that whatever parts you seek will come with time, diligence and effort. Some discipline, too. And also letting go and allowing imagination to run its course. A good night's sleep helps. So do seven to nine Guinness Stouts. Whatever makes the little hand swing around the clock.
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