|
Kieran Kramer | The Top Five Reasons Why Endings Matter
December 31, 2014
It's an honor for me to write the last blog of the year here at Fresh Fiction.
There's something special about endings. I love writing the endings of my books.
I feel the importance of them as I write them--the excitement, the weight. My
posture changes. I sit on the edge of my seat. My breathing is more shallow. I
get a lump in my throat. Sometimes, warm tears blur my vision. Endings are everything rolled into one--the joys, the sorrows, the doubts,
fears, and brave moments--and then... And then we leave them behind. That's the most interesting thing about endings. We look over our shoulder at
them as we go. But go we must. The irony, of course, is that by leaving we are also arriving at a new phase.
And we're not empty-handed. Endings season our new beginnings. Endings remind us
that... 1. We've learned something. Becoming wiser is always a good thing, isn’t it? 2. We don't have endless chances. This life isn't a dress rehearsal. We have to
work with the time we have and do something. 3. We didn't get through our year, our assignment, our stories, alone. We got to
the end with help. Support. Even when you’re reading or writing a story alone,
you’re part of something bigger than yourself. You might not always see these
connections in your life, but they’re there. They’re with us when we cross even
our most grueling finish lines. 4. We crave closure. Closure is like being tucked into bed at night. It’s
knowing we had a full day that is now done. The glory and the failures are over.
It’s time for respite, a breathing space. Closure means we can start on the next
thing. 5. We realize that it was all worth it—the struggles, the hardships. The ending
justifies the endeavor. Or not.
Sometimes the ending tells us something we don’t want to hear, that maybe we’ve
taken the wrong path. And as hard as that can be, we have to know so we can
correct our direction. Sailboats never sail straight, do they? They tack back
and forth. Each time they do, it’s the end of a certain path and the start of
another. But always, that zigzagging boat keeps moving forward. It’s our nature to keep moving, to create something new, to be part of the cycle
of growth, even when that growth is messy, even when doubts and fears intrude.
Endings are about being brave, about facing the unknown alone—and then
remembering we’re not alone. Ever. All of us have endings in common. We’re on
this journey together. Everyone, have a wonderful 2015! May it be filled with lots of adventures, new
beginnings, and great books! I’m giving away a signed copy of YOU’RE SO FINE to three
random commenters who answer
any of the following questions: What do you want to be brave about in 2015? Tell
us about an ending in your own life that really helped you learn a lesson. What’s an absolutely necessary thing you have to see in your favorite kind of
book endings? (contest open to US and Canada only) Hugs, Kieran
Comments
20 comments posted.
Re: Kieran Kramer | The Top Five Reasons Why Endings Matter
After having to start completely over again, after losing my
house of 13 years, when my Husband lost His job, which is a
long story, I learned several lessons about life, as well as
about family. What I want to be brave about in 2015, is the
dental surgery which I will be facing in a few days. It's
going to be quite severe, and the recovery time will take 6
weeks. I'm not afraid of the dentist, but am afraid of the
procedure itself. Every day I've been having a panic attack
over it. In a book ending, I like to see something so
memorable that it touches my heart, and makes me remember
the book long after I close the cover. This way I can
recommend the book to others, and will recall the book in my
mind from time to time, remembering the content with
fondness. To date, there are a handful of books that I am
able to do that with now, and those Authors have become my
favorites!! Have a wonderful 2015, and I loved your
posting. It shows that you really put a lot of thought into
your books, and I'm looking forward to reading your latest
book!!
(Peggy Roberson 11:16am December 31, 2014)
Hi Keiran! Thanks for stopping by. Loved this post. Not only does this week
mark a new year; it also marks my 30th birthday (!). I always thought I'd have it
all figured out by now (plus a million bucks in the bank), and while neither of
those things has happened, I'd like to think I've started living a life more true to
who I am, rather than who I think I should be. In 2015, I want to be brave about
being myself; doing things, chasing dreams, and hanging out with people who
make me genuinely happy; being more assertive about the things I want.
Cheers, and Happy New Year!
(Jessica Peterson 11:51am December 31, 2014)
Happy New Year to All!
(Nancy Ludvik 12:10pm December 31, 2014)
I love single mom stories and how they meet their new guy and the interaction with her child or children. This sounds like a great story with a happy outcome. Hard to believe we'll be ringing in 2015 already. Happy New Year!
(Linda Luinstra 12:11pm December 31, 2014)
I guess I failed to answer one of your questions. One thing I learned as an ending in my own life, when I divorced, is to be careful and wise as to your future choices...your spending, job and partner choices. Everything matters for a good outcome. The more time and thought in making wise decisions gets you better results.
(Linda Luinstra 12:20pm December 31, 2014)
Separation after 20 year marriage and 27 years together,
moving on..lots to learn self discovery and appreciation of
self worth.
(Darci Paice 12:21pm December 31, 2014)
Happy New Year Kieran!!! For 2015, I want to be brave and try out new things. Sometimes I feel like I'm stuck in a rut doing the same things day in and out. I want to step out of my comfort zone and experience new adventures. I might have to close my eyes, make a leap of faith and not think so much on it, but that's my goal for the new year. Thanks for thought provoking post, it's always nice to wrap things up and look back on the happenings of the past year. As the saying goes: "When one door closes, another will open." All the best in 2015 and I look forward to reading more of you awesome books!!
(Anita H 1:50pm December 31, 2014)
Definitely a happy ending with a wonderful man.
(Kelly Powell 11:27pm December 31, 2014)
I want to be brave enough to drive on the freeway. Sounds lame
but it is a fear of mine. I do it but not with love like I wish
I could. Happy New Year!
(Denise Austin 1:49pm January 1, 2015)
Hi Keiran, I would love to win your book! I like that it has an interesting storyline concerning Hollywood and what happens to a person who goes there with dreams in their eyes. I also love that it has a child in it. Happy New Year to you and everyone else!
(Karen Locke 4:03pm January 1, 2015)
My attempted suicide changed my life
in better and made me learn many
lessons. I would love to be braver
in living a normal life.
An ending that I love to see in
books? Pregnancies ;)
(Sarah Hansrote 8:33pm January 1, 2015)
Well...
What do you want to be brave about in 2015? Tell us about
an ending in your own life that really helped you learn a
lesson.
I had my truck totalled in 2008 and in 2009 I lost my
house (long story), due to getting laid off I did not
replace my truck. I am however, getting it replaced this
month FINALLY!!! The lesson I learned it DON'T lend your
truck out. It has taken me this long to be able to get a
vehicle.
What’s an absolutely necessary thing you have to see in
your favorite kind of book endings?
I want to know what happens to them. Do they get their
happily after or do they split? I want to know that what
I invested reading the book was worth it. Did it all
come together or did it just leave me hanging and get no
closure. Closure is a big deal to me in books. Unless it
is a series and there will be more characters introduced
and the others continued then I can handle the cliff
hanger endings.
(Tina Ullrich 10:07pm January 1, 2015)
I must have the HEA!
In 2015, I want my family to be healthy, and me, too!
(Denise Holcomb 1:44am January 2, 2015)
I want to be brave and start a new life sans hubby. Too
many unhappy years.
In books I read, I want an ending. Nothing I hate worse
than cliffhangers. If I read a book, I want an ending!
(Vicki Hancock 9:57am January 2, 2015)
Dealing with loss: my father loosing his sight, my mother's
illnesses, my husband's health, a much loved daughter-in-
law. I've dealt with the passing of our beloved pet and
told to retire or be let go. Life now is learning to deal
with loss.
(Sue Ellis 11:16am January 2, 2015)
I absolutely have to see a HEA ending for the couple.
(Cheryl Castings 11:22am January 2, 2015)
I want to have closure. I don't mind some open-ended threads of plot, to carry over to the next in a series. But as for the main part of the story--there needs to be an ending for me to feel good about the book.
(G S Moch 11:55am January 2, 2015)
Hi Kieran!I must have a HEA! I need to finish reading with
a smile on my face! As for being brave this year, I really
need to take steps to starting a new job/career. It's time!
(Sharlene Wegner 8:07pm January 2, 2015)
I want to be brave about my mother-in-law's battle with
cancer. My husband and I have been there for her and as
she nears the end I want to remember her recent words to
us. "Live your lives." Those words really sum it up for us
as we watch someone who was active and working in August
now be homebound.
(Jennifer Ingman 11:42pm January 2, 2015)
This is Kieran, and I want you to know that I read all your comments and really
enjoyed them! To those of you who shared your hard experiences, I was really
moved by how brave you are. I was also inspired by the fact that you have
moved forward. Today is a new day. Every day is.
I also loved reading about our favorite kind of book endings. I was nodding my
head in agreement the whole time, LOL!!!
I hope everyone has a great 2015!!! Come visit me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/KieranKramer1. Big hugs!!!
(Kieran Kramer 11:14am January 6, 2015)
Registered users may leave comments.
Log in or register now!
| 
© 2003-2024 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy