Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Twofer Tuesday--A Real Ending

I'm happy to report I finally did it. I finally wrote a proper ending to A Fly on the Wall.
The final scene has been in my mind since before I finished the manuscript last summer. I knew how it had to end. The problem was getting there. I didn't have a logical reason to bring about the logical conclusion.
The other day I was winding up the second edit when I realized it had to be fixed. Now. No more waiting and hoping that I'd be inspired in the next pass.
If I kept my weak, happy, all -tightened-up conclusion in any longer I'd be tempted to give up and keep it. That would be wrong and stupid.

Action had to be taken. I had to fix the second -last chapter and rewrite most of the final chapter. This meant guitar playing and chew toys. I strummed for a bit and then bought some gelatinous fruit chewies that got me started and I finished with a toothpick stuck out at a jaunty angle from my mouth.
The ending's not perfect, but neither is it embarrassingly sewed-up and happy. It'll take some rest, and some strumming and chewing, but I'll one day have something to send out.

Here are two fresh lines from A Fly on the Wall:

"Just like the first time, it was over and done before Brelyan knew what happened. One moment he and Nick were about to say goodbye, the next they were in a small cage not sure what happened or who they were."

I'm reading Isabel Allende's The House of the Spirits (Dial Press Trade Paperback, 2005.) I saw the movie years ago, sometime in the nineties I think, and loved it. It made me want to read the book. I found it a short while ago and am so happy that it made it to the top of my TBR pile.

Two sentences I read:

"The Jesuit's index finger, which was already raised to illustrate additional tortures, remained suspended like a lightning rod above his head. People stopped breathing, and those whose heads had been nodding suddenly woke up."

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13 comments:

David Cranmer said...

Congrats on finishing the ending. Its a great feeling isn't it?

messymimi said...

I'm so glad for you.

Guitars, gummie candy, and a toothpick, eh? You are as intriguing as the characters you create, you know.

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks, David. It feels great.

Thanks, Messymimi. I've never thought of myself as intriguing, but I suppose I'm used to me.

the Bag Lady said...

I'm happy for you, and waiting patiently for my copy! :)

Leah J. Utas said...

It won't be much longer, df Bag Lady.

Clare2e said...

I just bought some gummy alligators- I didn't realize they were writing aids. I'll save my receipt for the taxes!

SO Glad you're making progress on your best ending, not just the one you could manage first. I know how it feels to know you must make a change, but not to be sure how. I love the way Allende puts sentences together.

Leah J. Utas said...

Make the claim, Clare. Make the claim.
Thanks, Clare. Good to hear about how it is for other writers.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on finishing.
Mary

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks, Mary.

Barbara Martin said...

Considering the meaning of your second sentence, I'm really looking forward to reading the whole of your story. A great line, Leah.

It is certainly a relief to get the conclusion of a manuscript over and done with. Now you just have to peddle it to an agent.

Leah J. Utas said...

Barbara, thanks so much. I am hoping it'll be published--and soon. It still needs beta readers and polishing.

Hilary said...

Oh good for you. I'm picturing you strumming on guitar and gnawing on toothpicks, and .. wait. .no, that's Frank.

Congrats, Leah. :)

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks, Hilary. Hmmm, must be a writer thing.