So I’ve got this YA contemporary WIP I’ve been revising /
fighting with. The problem used to be
the back story, in that there was too much of it, but now the problem is
bigger. The problem is the ending.
The ending is bittersweet, starting out insanely bitter and
folding nicely into sweet.
The problem is that the bitter part might be too bitter. It’s not even much of an existential ending. There is just something that happens that is
very discomforting for the main character that might be equally as troubling
for the reader. As in the kind of
troubling that makes the reader too upset with the book to enjoy the sweet part
of the ending.
So. How do I fix
this? Option one involves rewriting the middle, adding facets to this
character’s life that make what happens in the bitter part of the ending, not
so hard to stomach. Option two involves
changing the ending all together so the stakes aren’t as high and the
consequences aren’t as hard to swallow.
Have any of you been in a position like this? I wrote this novel knowing how it would end,
but now I fear the ending is going to spoil a perfectly good novel. How do you guys fix endings you think the
audience might not appreciate?
I think it's very hard to second guess how readers will react. I would suggest leaving it as it is and getting a few reactions from people. Fresh eyes always help.
ReplyDeletemood
Moody Writing
@mooderino
The Funnily Enough
Well, you know I agree with Mood. You are projecting. You need to get it into the hands of others (ahem) for feedback.
ReplyDeleteYES! The problem in my story wasn't the ending, but the middle part when the MC does a terrible, terrible thing that might make it hard for the reader to sympathize with him, even though he deeply regrets doing it. But that's the story. Take it or leave it. It's all about what you want to say with the story and the point you want to make, the odyssey you want them to travel. Uncomfortable is also memorable.
ReplyDelete