To end right we need to begin right, with a story question, which creates anticipation for the outcome all though the reading experience. One that will not be easily answered, but has a desirable conclusion that can be hoped for and cheered for all the same. Also, for non-fiction, those nuggets of wisdom that build and hopefully expand the readers understanding and tools to do life well are not easily ended, all the time.

Story Question – Main character’s question is what readers see in the story.  (example: Will I get justice? Will I win the love of my life? Or for non-fiction writers: Will I plan my vacations like an expert? Will I feel closer to God? Will I understand people better?) We writers want readers to know the story question, so that they can enjoy the emotional roller coaster that keeps them reading—till the very end! This question must be simple and believable and achievable, yet difficult to secure.

Unless you write 007 type fiction—your character changes—however, usually, they are stronger or better as they overcome the lie that bound them at the beginning of the story. What if you write non-fiction? Will your ending matter? Most how-to books and inspirational works seem to begin with the lesser skills and increase in information and vision toward the end. Yes writer, endings do matter, whether you write fiction or non-fiction! What can we do to strengthen our endings and therefore benefit our readers, while extending an invitation to our future writings? 

Donald Maass states that last lines need the same amount of effort to create as first lines. He suggests using wit, poetic line or a sense of dawning peace. All of those techniques trigger emotional chemical response from our brains. But that was a different teaching, let’s move on.

Endings are often difficult to write once the crisis has happened and the story is on the down-swing—or concerning non-fiction, all the pertinent information has already been shared—this is why I’m teaching this lesson. When that natural concern about what will happen—has happened what can we do to make those last pages shine?  Once the message you had for your reader has been delivered how can you wrap up that needed ending?

Examples: The Wedding Dress by Rachel Haulk, A Quarter For A Kiss by Mindy S Clark, Blur by Steven James and many others end strong. Yet there are excellent writers who begin exceptionally well and dither out at the ending; limiting their final words to checking off the threads they shared throughout the story. That is needed, but is it memorable? Is there take-away for the reader?

Excellent endings bring elements to the story that literally get the chemicals in our brain firing. Look at the following movies: War Room, Courageous, Hidalgo, Tomorrowland, and Secondhand Lions, just to name a few. There are elements in these endings that readers/watchers expect and connect with. We observers come away empowered and feel like we could be better people; our minds are focused on courage, sacrifice, unconditional love, can-do-it spirit! Who didn’t walk away from War Room and not want to make a prayer list closet to begin interceding?

I’ve been rewriting my closing scene for my contemporary novel and decided that the ending puttered out. Why? I did the check-off for all loose threads and wrote a scene, but it didn’t have the same quality writing that I shared in the beginning of my story. It didn’t have the emotional take away that would benefit the reader.

So, what could I do to improve? I decided to look at the books on my overburdened shelves! LOL! True. I’m checking out endings to both historical and contemporary and non-fiction works to see what they have in common. Of course, not every book has the same interesting ending elements. Some have humor, a secret the character still wants to keep from the populous, gratitude on how something well fought for turned out. Also, I noticed some have a bookend ending, which is: something stated is repeated or the character is at the same location where the story began, but with victory that tugged at my heart strings and got my mind buzzing. It is vital that we end in the same excellence that we begin with and that we provide the best message that will benefit the reader. Isn’t that why we write? No, I don’t find it easy to end well. It is all too easy to putter out. Even well published authors do yield to the get it over with check list.  But do you want to offer that kind of quality to your readers?

Read last page of Audacious by Beth Moore & Revelation 22:12 - 21

CHECK LIST FOR ENDINGS:

• Same tone as the story or book you wrote
• Relevant tie offs that can inspire
• Take away for the reader
• Dawning of Peace
• Loose thread to link the next novel
• Last snippet of info—beneficial
• Last scene placement – inspiring – a message all of its own


• WHAT HAVE YOU DISCOVERED FOR THIS CLASS HOMEWORK?  DISCUSSION TIME!

• Example: “Don’t make me laugh.” This was a last line that I saw in a movie. This seemingly non-exciting line carried a lot of feel-good emotional impact for me. Within this simple line was the pain the hero experienced and the positive relationship with the person he said it to, which also related to the struggle he’d just had. Excellent ending! Can we do less? I hope not…in fact I hope we do the same or better as we purposefully design a meaningful ending that will resonate with our readers!

CONFERENCES YEAH OR NO WAY? By Susan Marlene
We will explore the benefits and downfalls of attending conferences. Questions at the end. 😊
Why should you attend conferences?
Preparation for Conferences
Face-to-Face Meetings? (Do they matter?)
Where Can You Find the ‘Best for You’ Conferences?
Oh, The COST!
 

1. WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND CONFERENCES?
2. Information highway—offering classes and teachers experience you probably would never have learned from on your own. Some classes you would think, “No, not for me!” Yet, the challenges and wisdom presented can change the direction of your writing career.
3. Conflicting information—of course. Some writers work and believe differently about this career than others—what a way to explore options and find your fit. Should you write articles? What kind and how to do it? Those are just some examples of inspiring topics that changed my thinking!
4. Getting to know writers in your genre and editors and agents is important! Some of their personal experiences are inspiring. You are not alone in your challenges and discouragements. If it is a worthwhile pursuit- you will have trouble along the way. (As with anything!)
5. You meet people with like-minded focus and those who are ahead of you that enjoy helping others grow. You can do the same for other newer writers.
6. Preparation for Conferences
7. Research who you wish to interview and a few more! Their link can be on the Conference WEB page. What do they recommend for hand-outs, proposals, sample writing? Don’t neglect this and you will be a happy camper!
8. What is business casual anyway? I wore long skirts-never ragged jeans or too casual clothing. You are trying to sell your image. Be professional and don’t over do it either.
9. Bring appropriate clothing if you will attend an awards dinner.
10. Purchase linen folders to hold your sample writing and One Sheet about the book you are pitching—if you are. And do have business cards at the ready to hand out to writers, agents and editors.
11. Take pictures of the event and yourself with others for social media.
12. You can or don’t have to bring your computer. Usually the classes run from morning until late at night.
13. Your Bible! 😊
14. Face-To-Face Meetings. (Do they matter?)
15. Book deals are made this way. If your piece is what they are looking for and they see your excitement that is a foot in the door for a new writer. (Unfortunately, many writers promise to send their work to agents or editors and never do. That is a plus for you if you send exactly what they ask for. (Follow on-line or guidelines they give to you. If you can’t follow directions—they realize you will be a labor
    of difficulty.)
16. You can sign up for a certain amount of interview. If you have favorable interaction this opens the door—even if you don’t have an agent—which is a difficult relationship to acquire if you don’t have excellent social media and platform already established.
17. Other authors may be just who you need to meet for encouragement, direction, information, and connections. Or you may be the person they need to meet.
18. Leaving a business card with your photo on it provides something to remember you by. I made my own. You can also have them made for you.
19. Where Can You Find the ‘Best for You’ Conferences?
20. Word of mouth. What is said about conferences can be found on FB, online reviews or from other writers you know.
21. “The Christian Writers MARKET GUIDE 2017” Your Comprehensive Resource for Getting Published by Steve Laube has an excellent chapter on WRITERS CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS.This gives you state by state opportunities and who to contact with descriptions of what this conference’s focus is.
22. On line searches, for example: I typed in “Writers Conferences 2018 fiction USA” and numerous conferences appeared. You may want to clarify your request by adding non-fiction, romance, etc.
23. Oh, The COST!
24. There is quite a range of varying costs for conferences. Sometimes, you can find a special local event that may charge very reasonable rates. If you need a room and meals your costs will go up accordingly. You can find some excellent opportunities through local writers’ groups in your state.
25. When finances are too strapped you can consider applying for scholarships, which do not need paid back. I have seen ACFW and Write To Publish offer them and they also allow writers to give toward scholarships so that writers who can’t afford the conference can attend. I’m sure each situation is different and maybe some scholarships pay the majority of the fees, but you would be responsible for travel and meal accommodations.
26. If you can’t attend but really need some of the teachings offered, many conferences offer teaching CD’s or USB Drives. You can pick and choose and ever order from earlier conferences. You will miss the interaction with word lovers but you will benefit from the classes you order. Check the WEB page for the organization offering the conference and pick your topics!
27. Once you start earning more than you are spending for conferences, travel and how to books you can write off your expenses for your taxes. Keeping track of those expenses can pay off for you if you work hard at selling articles or take on other paid writing opportunities.
    

QUESTIONS ANYONE?

• We can talk about some of the valuable lessons that were taught by qualified and successful writers in the business.
• How did meeting writers and editors and agents affect me personally?
• What kind of challenges did I focus on and wish to act on goals I’ve set for myself because of conferences?
• Critiques and what to watch for…just saying!I highly recommend conferences and encourage you to find the right one for you!