The Trouble with Endings

Is that I find them hard to write. I think I may have mentioned before how hard I find them. Which is possibly why, until I started writing romance and seriously trying to get published, I never finished any of the stories I used to start.

I'm not sure what it is about them that I find difficult. Before I really got into learning the technical aspects of writing romance, I used to find that the problem was the cheesiness of them. The obligatory here's-why-I-was-so-horrible-to-you explanations. But now that I know a little more about what I'm doing, it's even worse than that just the cheesiness: it's the tying up of the conflict.

Has each character completed their journey? Have they learned enough from each other in order to take that last step and overcome their conflict? Have I tied up any loose ends? Have I introduced something I shouldn't? Argh! Several people have commented in the last couple of blog posts that the more you know, the harder it gets and you know what? They're right! Before I knew any of this it was 'I love you'. 'I love you too'. Kiss. The End.
Not any more.

The reason for the angst is that I'm nearing the end of the Frenchman. Got the Black Moment then the resolution to go. I know how it's going to play out, but I've got bogged down yet again. I think - as usual - it's because one of them needs to act and I'm not quite sure what that action is yet. It'll be something to do with their conflict that will precipitate the black moment but I'm still feeling my way a little here. Ah well, I always have this problem during a first draft. I'll go like the clappers for a while and then come to a shuddering halt. But no doubt I'll figure out what one of them needs to do and then I'll be off again and I'll find write the end of the wretched thing. And you know what? Just writing this blog post has given me an idea... The Frenchman likes to be in control so what does he do when he feels a situation is sliding out of his control? He likes to get it back!

On that happy note, anyone else find endings difficult to write? Please don't say I'm the only one!

Another One Bites the Dust

Well, it's done. Done and dusted. In a triumph of internal conflict overcoming external, my story has morphed from that of woman whose wedding for visa purposes falls through and she tries to marry a guy off the street (yes, I kid you not), into that of a risk-averse lawyer who falls for a risk loving climber. Weird huh?

Anyway, it's an extremely rough and dirty draft and there was a moment there when I wondered if I could even give them their HEA (my poor hero had a particularly tough time). But they sorted it out and got there in the end. So, my last thing really is wondering whether or not to put in an epilogue. There is a thread in there that if I wrap up within the story, it will affect the pacing. Then again, it should be wrapped up (will he survive his climb or not??) and the logical place is to put it in an epilogue. Decisions, decisions.

May not make all that much difference if they don't want to see the full but hey, I'm gambling that they will. Six weeks and counting, and considering that it's holidays UK way, I'm thinking I'll be waiting a while yet.

Anyway, what to do now??