by Jackie Houchin
There are many kinds of endings – your years in school or college, work (retirement), the last chemo session, the last crumbs in the cookie jar, cereal box, coffee canister, friendships and marriages, letters, books (reading or writing), payments on your home or car, a movie episode or series on TV, the ink in a favorite pen, a headache or toothache, a lovely vacation, a calendar, a blog.
Some endings you are grateful for, some leave you sorrowful, nostalgic, or simply inconvenienced. And with some, you are relieved and satisfied. You brush your hands together, stand up tall, and walk away. You’ll “think about it another day,” as Scarlett O’Hare so famously said.
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Of course, this is a blog by and about writers, writing, publishing, marketing, and even for some (like me) reading and reviewing books. Writers LOVE to type “The End” on a manuscript, be it a lengthy tome, a 3,000-word short story, or a 600-word review. There is a sense of accomplishment. And as writers, we hope those endings appeal to our readers and keep them coming back for more. As readers, we want to be surprised, entertained, and yes, satisfied that the bad guy got caught, the mystery was solved, or the romance was sealed with a kiss and a ring.
Can you think of a book whose ending you absolutely loved for whatever reason? Mention it in the comments below. Or one that was the worst ever – so bad that you threw the book across the room, or directly into the trash?
If you are a writer, how will you end the book (story, article, review) that you are working on right now? Can you give us a hint?
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A few of us here have discussed the demise of this blog at the end of 2022. Oh, we still have some good posts lined up for you from us six “Writers In Residence” as well as a helpful guest blogger in November.
We would LOVE to hear your thoughts. Don’t just “massage our egos” but tell us outright how you feel. Would you miss reading this blog each Wednesday? Or is it with a big sigh and resolute determination that you log on, once again?
If we vote for another year of The Writers in Residence, what topics would you like to see upcoming? Are there guest bloggers you would love to hear from? Is there someone you’d especially like for us to interview? Would you enjoy some kind of quiz or giveaway (be specific!)?
Interests change, we know, and readers have less time to visit and perluse blogs. Maybe there are other venues that pique their interests or grab their attention. Is that you? If so, please be honest.
What say ye? Please leave thoughts and suggestions in the comments section, or share them with any of us on Facebook.
The End
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash
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The Writers in Residence 