Write the Right Ending
Often times the most difficult piece of writing is the ending. Everything you’ve plotted must mesh seamlessly and flow towards the finale. Plot points have to add up, foreshadowing must be perfect and the development of characters has to come together. And then you think you can “wing it”, right? This exactly why I’ve found going into the draft with an ending in mind is easier than trying to fumble one together. If you’re not sure, here are a few types of endings you could pick from:
The Cliffhanger: The book ends on a shocking note that makes readers beg for more.
The Happily-Ever-After: Everyone is happy (and usually married) by the end.
The Open Ending: Suggestion of one event also implies there’s a debatable second version of the end.
The Closed Ending: The finale goes one way that’s indisputable.
There isn’t any exact formula to writing since different approaches work for different people and readers are subjective enough to like a variety of stories—we can be thankful for that. This gives creative license to writers and you should use it to its fullest. But the ending is a tricky thing.
You have to choose something that not only fits with the story but feels right. And above all else, I believe the “feeling” related to the ending is most important. If you want everyone to be happy, but it just doesn’t feel right, then you can switch things up a bit. You’re going to have to live with the choice so why not embrace it?
Share your experience- or more types of endings!
Science Fact
The Mars Rover, aptly named Curiosity, landed on the fourth planet from the Sun today. If you didn’t know, now you do. Beyond the obvious research it will conduct, it represents something much greater. In fact, so does the iphone in your pocket, or the replacement knee you just received. These accomplishments of human ingenuity literally make science come alive. And although most advances stir in the minds of scientists, the inspiration began on the pages of a science fiction book.
There isn’t another genre like it. That can entertain people’s imagination and spark an idea. Did you know there are some Star Wars lab geeks working their tails off to create a working lightsaber? Disregard the fact that it’s currently the size of a house. The point is that they are taking something from fiction and working to make it a fact.
That’s power. Writing a story and drawing things from your imagination you simply thought were “cool” to one day have that object invented in reality. Jules Verne, HG Wells, Orson Wells, George Orwell, George Lucas – just to name a few of the innovators. I have to say, as I write this, I am getting more excited for my scifi story on the horizon. The possibilities are endless and yet, something I might imagine while washing dishes could one day be in my hand. Fantasy can’t do that. While it’s plausible, it’s very unlikely to become possible. That’s the beauty of speculative fiction, though. It allows us to exercise our brains and our imaginations to test the limits of possibility.
What might we learn from the Mars Rover? That it takes time for science fiction to become fact, sure. That there’s water elsewhere in the solar system, maybe. The important thing to take away is how powerful the imagination truly can be. That it drives us to accomplish, create and believe.
One person’s fiction is another’s soon to be fact. Anything from scifi that you’re waiting to see become real?
Review of The Dark Knight Rises
Ending a trilogy is hard. Ending the new Batman Series had monumental expectations. At least from me. If you didn’t already know, Christopher Nolan is one of my storytelling idols. So, I’ve yearned for the final installment of Batman since I walked out of the theatre after seeing The Dark Knight in 2008. Inception reunion aside, I knew Rises would deliver. And it did. Don’t read on if you don’t want to be spoiled!
The movie had its questions. Tom Hardy as Bane? Anne Hathaway as Catwoman? How could these individuals fill the shoes of Heath Ledger’s legendary Joker performance? Simply put, they couldn’t. That doesn’t detract from their incredible portrayals of these comic book personalities. Bane was the quintessential villain- mentally and physically intimidating. He was always one step ahead of Bruce in his plan and in his muscle. Catwoman was a delight. Her portrayal as a petty thief with debt struggles was an interesting twist on the cookie-cutter seductress I expected. She had depth and complexity her previous incarnations could only hope for.
Also, circling the Ra’s A Ghul plot was a nice symmetrical touch. Bane not only descended upon Gotham to cleanse the city, but to finish what Ghul dreamed of for years. The cyclical feel was equally imparted with the close of Bruce’s chapter pining for Rachel Dawes, Commissioner Gordon facing the truth about Harvey Dent and the city itself coming to term with the Batman.
I have to mention something else Nolan brought to the table. The inexplicable shift in character decision. Yes, my idol missed on this note. Nothing’s perfect. In TDK, Lucius Fox gave Bruce all the equipment needed to be Batman, but refuses to go as far as a personal listening device. Because letting him troll the streets in a tank was any better. In Rises, Alfred refuses to see Bruce tear himself down, but those first 16 years were cool. It added drama and conflict, so it’s easily overlooked.
Oh, what’s that you say? The villain has a nuke? Surprise. Although I would have 
preferred a plotline with a bit more originality, it was in character with Bane—a larger than life individual seeking a grandiose gesture to force Gotham back to square one. And the tumultuous journey it forced Bruce through was incredible to watch. Not only did he have to work to become Batman once again, but when he fails, he must literally climb out of a hole to save the city he has devoted his life to. If you didn’t shed a tear when he rises into the desert, you might need an emotional overhaul.
In Bruce’s absence, Gotham’s struggle is portrayed through the sideline journey of John Blake who shows some spunk when faced with adversity. Whether it’s his fellow officers, or the enemy, Blake’s own rising mirrors Bruce’s throughout the film, offering a comforting parallel for viewers to know that even without Batman, the city can come out of the ashes.
At the climax of the film, where it is revealed Bruce’s once lover and business partner, Miranda Tate is actually Talia a Ghul, the real brains behind Gotham’s reckoning, it’s a moment of expected surprise. I was surprised she was Ra’s daughter, but as in any Batman film, his women always have questionable allegiances. Even Catwoman, his budding love, double-crosses him once or twice. The final showdown delivers. The city’s cops against Bane’s army. Bane against Batman. Catwoman, Blake and Gordon stringing it all together hit every rousing note an epic battle should. The snow. The silent shot. The fighting. The powerful music. The fighting! Did I mention the fighting?
Everything led Bruce to this moment. His training with the League. Taking the fall for Harvey. Returning to give Gotham hope. And you knew he wouldn’t let a silly old bomb stop him. He’s Batman! From the second Bruce decided to sacrifice himself for his city, the waterworks began. The hero’s journey came to a fever pitch. Batman literally gave his life for Gotham. I don’t know what was worse? Seeing Catwoman, Blake, Gordon, Fox or Alfred’s gut-wrenching response. Ok, it was Alfred. Alfred had me crying a river.
Not only does Nolan show the legacy Bruce has left, donating his home and fortune to the city, but that his impact resonated with John Blake, who seeks out Batman’s lair to embody the fallen idol. The same officer we learn is really named Robin. What a crescendo. This was the cleverest way to employ the character. Ever. Robin as a sidekick is laughable at best. Having the man who will take up Batman’s mantel be named Robin is a wonderful homage to the character and another brilliant twist in Nolan’s modern series.
But Nolan’s true storytelling brilliance shines in the final moments of Rises. Alfred takes his Italian vacation, hoping as he said earlier in the film to see Bruce settled with a family and a life beyond Batman. And as teased earlier, you see the back of a man’s head. With Batman dead, the audience can only cry for the broken old man. But when the man turns to reveal Bruce Wayne, seated across from Selina Kyle (Catwoman), I wasn’t the only one rejoicing with thundering applause. Nolan succeeded in taking Bruce Wayne beyond Batman. Beyond the expectations of fans. And into history as arguably the best super hero film and franchise ever created. A(+)
What’s in a Name?
I’ve seen a lot of writers chatting about naming characters lately and thought this would be a timely post. Naming a character is like naming a child. You riffle through options until the right one sticks out and you just know it’s a match. After all, that’s what you’ll be calling them forever. Literally. There’s a few ways to locate a name-
- Think Of It- Like a friend or family member’s name.
- Research It- Perhaps you found it in a book.
- Make It Up- Or Maybe you threw the name together yourself.
Regardless of the ways you locate the name, you have to wonder if that name is right. Narrow down your options by analyzing the choices. Some names evoke a certain personality, like Eugene (didn’t picture a big beefy dude, didya?) or names that sound a specific way (i.e. Maleficent) can influence the way readers interpret your character. Other times the names might need to fall in line with a time period or a genre. But I’d have to caution against making it SO obvious you’re in the future or past by typecasting everyone with a time period name. The name should suit the character’s personality, behavior and situation.
With a large cast of characters, you want to be sure everyone is easily identifiable and that the names don’t blend together or confuse readers. Conversely, with a small cast, the names should be particular enough to resonate with readers. Yes, naming one character should factor in to naming others.
The names you want to avoid are ones that might already have an image because they’re attached to another story or real person. Unless however, that is your intention.
From my personal experience, I’ve used all three methods of conjuring names. And they’re equally effective in producing solid names. Finding the right name will come to you, don’t worry. You’ll see the glowing halo around the name and know it’s the one.
Pitch Wars Mentee 2014
Awards
