[queenoftheshire]

Yes, I do have alot of questions hehe. But, ok, I'll write an awsome story and then crash and burn because the ending is really really bad. Now, I dont have to worry as much about it when I'm doing LOTR FanFic, but still: Any suggestions?

[Lindorien]

Queen,
try writing your ending first. Write the last paragraph or section or couple of paragraphs. then you know what you are working towards. It does not mean that you won't rewrite the ending, you likely will, but you will know where you are going.

[Viv]

Lindorien, good idea! I'll have to try that; I have a lot of trouble with endings to long pieces, too. Usually, I visualize the climax (the literary one), and write a bit of that before I even start the story. But I have loads of trouble with the denoument. This process might help. Thanks for the suggestion!

[Lindorien]

You are welcome, Viv. This was my husband's suggestion to me while I was struggling with the denouement to one of my novels. He said, "Write your last paragraph."

Worked like a charm. I'm now most way through a second novel and I followed that advice. I outlined the thing and wrote the ending FIRST. It's moving along swimmingly.

Lots of times, when trying to decide whether or not to buy a novel, people look at the jacket flap, then the first few paragraphs. Then many, many will look at the last paragraph or two to see if this is something they want to read. The last few paragraphs, especially the last, are as important as the first, in my opinion. That is the LAST thing a reader will take away with him/her when s/he is finished reading.

I use that same idea whenever I decide where to end a chapter or a section, if it is a multi-part work. People will hold eyelids open to get to the end of a chapter or a section -- the author wants the reader to have a strong image to carry with him that will entice him to once again pick up the work and continue on the next day, or after dinner is cooked, or whatever.

Lindorien