Blog for Bristol Services Intl.

A writer recently send in a manuscript which left what he called an “open” ending, meaning no end or conclusion at all. He had some great rationalizations for this approach and, yes, there are critically-acclaimed books that leave readers needing to decide, for themselves, how the story really ends. But does that mean publsihers like this approach? Or that readers enjoy them? No.

Sometimes an established author can pull off an end-less book, mostly because they already have a readership willing to buy their book. But for newer writers, consider the value of the conclusion to any book. This pertains to both fiction and memoirs.

FICTION: In fiction, one of the prime reasons reader spend their precious few spare hours reading is to enjoy a sense of completion in something in their life. Let’s face it: too much of our lives are already without ends, incomplete, and tediously endless. In fiction they SEEK something that gives them an “Ahhh” satisfaction on that final page.

MEMOIRS: As for memoirs, I fully understand the desire to not “finalize” your life’s story. Life doesn’t fit neat niches anyway and there can be seemingly too much to summarize, or admit to, or bask in. But allowing reader’s to form their own conclusion is kind of an excuse (oops, who said that?) for not fulfilling an important part of the pact an author enters into with the reader. When they start any book, they agree to read to the end–and you agree to give them one. And, yes, they will STILL draw their own conclusion, no matter what you end with. But at least you will have fulfilled your part of the bargain.

I agree that the last thing you or the reader wants is a sense of apology or rationalization of your life. Gosh, if regrets were food we’d all be fat as hogs! An ending doesn’t have to be “I now realize this and that and my purpose in life is this.” A better and more truthful and touching (to readers) ending is to admit that your DON’T understand all the bits and pieces but that you do see the pattern or fabric that these threads of experiences have created. Then look for a single sentence somewhere in the manuscript that serves as a rounding out of the story as a whole and consider making that part of the final statement. 

In conclusion (yes, articles, too, benefit from conclusions!), writing is about communicating an idea. And without a conclusion of some sort, the idea remains incomplete, no more than a dangling bunch of words that float off, leaving the audience unsatisfied.

     There are many reasons to write anything, like to inform, to educate, and to entertain. These all address the value that writing has to the reader. Writing can have another value—one to the writer. This is never truer than with memoirs. A memoir can provide a powerfully cathartic value to the writer. I applaud writers for expressing the often confusing, occasionally ridiculous and sometimes amazing experiences that made up their lives. But I really admire those who take the heart-wrenching journey of writing about the dreadfully painful experiences that molded them into the people they are today. This is a valuable step in the writer’s own healing.

     Many writers are unable to finish something of this magnitude simply because of the pain involved. So anyone who completes a memoir should feel very proud of himself. And … once written, the writer might consider the journey to be ended. Afterall, he has fulfilled the need: to get it out of himself, spilled onto paper, freeing himself from the solitary burden carried for so many years. And that is fine. No one needs to go further—once written, the memoir can be set aside, its duty done.  

     However, many memoir writers intend to publish their words for friends and family. That is another entire journey. Because then the manuscript must fulfill another need, one for the reader. So if you are writing a memoir and you want it to be read by others, you should ask yourself what you want the reader to take away.  

     Most likely you want to share your life, to make what you experienced a valuable experience for the reader too. With this in mind, remember to avoid “telling” readers about your life. Every time you address the reader as “you” or tell us how to think, what to watch for, or how to respond, you are telling us we can’t figure it out on our own. Readers will not respond favorably to this approach. They can even wonder if your perceptions were, in fact, accurate.

      Instead show your life. Let the experiences speak for themselves in the sensory descriptions and clear details that let the reader feel the sorrow or sense the joy in each incident. If we can see the way you were treated, then we feel we are there too, treated that same way. We know the experience is true because we feel it for ourselves. We’ll experience what you experienced. The sharing will be complete.  

      Remember, memoirs are not just dates and names and facts lined up across your years. Let us experience the emotions you felt in sensory ways. Emotions are the most valuable tool any writer has. Show a strong emotion in one sentence and readers will understand with greater depth and impact than pages and pages of explanations ever would.  

Need a setting for your next novel? Try the spaceport in New Mexico. A BBC article about Dona Ana County in southern New Mexico explains how voters passed a 0.25% increase in the local sales tax to help contribute to the cost of building Spaceport America. With other backers too, like Sir Richard Branson, this can be a real-life setting you can write about now to fit the near future fiction reading public. The article explains that “Branson has signed a long-term lease with the state of New Mexico to make the new spaceport the headquarters of his Virgin Galactic space tourism business. The spaceport is expected to open in 2009, and Virgin Galactic says space flights will cost around $200,000 for a 2.5-hour flight.”

Add to that the natural wonders and ancient cultures that add atmosphere to New Mexico and you have a great setting to start your adventure!