Definitive Endings

[AnonUnlimited]

So I know only one person on SH who writes an entire story out before posting, but I’m wondering if there are any other authors on here who only write short stories with a definite ending.

When I posted a first story on here, I realized that it may have had an interesting start for those who liked the very niche genre, but one thing I’ve realized is a long story with aimless progress gets irritating as it goes on.

This goes for me as a writer and as a reader. Of the webnovels I have completed reading, I’ve found the endings have been unsatisfying for 90% of them.

Now, I have a theory about this. Authors who primarily write online are most interested in hooking the reader at the beginning, rather than writing a satisfying story with an ending that sticks, they want a continuing story that has a huge audience who will support them.

This is a trend that is in anime, light novels, western television series on Netflix and broadcast television… hell.. almost everything these days. It’s kind of the equivalent of live service games, it demands your attention and then wants to keep it for a long long time. There is no ending until the series loses popularity or the author gives up.

Just look at all the movie sequels, even Star Wars which should have a definite ending is now being continued again -_-… South Park was right… anyway…

I guess I have to say that I believe the majority of people have lost the desire to be a completionist in some sense, many don’t finish anything because finishing things becomes a chore.

Anyway. I am shortening up the story I initially wrote on SH, and I’ll finish it… and after that I’ll probably be making a rule that I’ll never write a never ending series, or extremely long series without a point again.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

 

[AliceShiki]

I haven't written in a while (I really want to get back to it), but I always write while having the ending of my story in mind.

Like, I don't plan things too much and most of what I do is winged... But I have a rough ending in mind from the very start.

Basically, if I have a goal from the get-go, I can move my novel towards said goal from the get-go. This makes my novel never feel aimless and without purpose.

That's how I do it at least. Not a solid plan, but at least an idea of a plan. This allows me to stay focused and not go on and on forever~

 

[georgelee5786]

I...concur. Never-ending stories get tiresome. I, however, will continue reading if it clearly is moving(slowly, but still moving) toward a grand climax like berserk is without feeling overly long

 

[RepresentingWrath]

I...concur. Never-ending stories get tiresome. I, however, will continue reading if it clearly is moving(slowly, but still moving) toward a grand climax like berserk is without feeling overly long

Berserk isn't that long. You think it's long because new chapters come out once in a few months\years.

 

[Corty]

I never start writing a story before knowing what the ending will be like. I can't fathom how never-ending authors do it. Maybe that is why most of those stories get stale.

I always started a book, already knowing what the ending was. Now.... the road to getting there, changed a lot while writing the daily chapters. But the ending was always set in stone.

 

[AnonUnlimited]

I...concur. Never-ending stories get tiresome. I, however, will continue reading if it clearly is moving(slowly, but still moving) toward a grand climax like berserk is without feeling overly long

The mangaka died -_-

 

[Corty]

The mangaka died -_-

When being alive he still put it out at an abysmal speed. Probably health issues we as readers did not know about. Sadly we never know what he planned for Guts's end. There were talks continuing it but then that would be like... well, let's not go there.

 

[Poleg]

When being alive he still put it out at an abysmal speed. Probably health issues we as readers did not know about. Sadly we never know what he planned for Guts's end. There were talks continuing it but then that would be like... well, let's not go there.

Actually a lot of people knew how shitty his health was. IIRC there were several posts or entries where he complained about his health and his bad lifestyle. There was also a really sad on, where he wrote about his wish to go more outside and to witness ''the beauty of the cherry blossom trees''.
Do not know if they were real though, as I do not speak japanese.

 

[NotOriginal]

To be honest I already have my ending written out, currently on SH I have 342 chapters with extra little chapters in there. Now I am just editing the future chapters and releasing them on a schedule.
When I publish a story I do it when I already completed it.
I and many others have been burned by great stories that are never to be finished, so I never want to do that to another.

 

[georgelee5786]

The mangaka died -_-

Still being written. Miura told a friend berserk's entire story, so he is working with a studio to finish it

Berserk isn't that long. You think it's long because new chapters come out once in a few months\years.

I suppose

 

[Domoviye]

Meandering stories are an increasing problem everywhere. Lots of series are getting published and produced that seem to just be dragging along to get more money from the fans.
My two stories could be the same, but I do have rough ideas of how they'll both end. Getting there is going to take a while and isn't completely worked out, but at least I know where I'm going and each chapter gets a little bit closer to the end.

 

[TheEldritchGod]

Wait... people don't write the ending first? How can you write a story without knowing where you are going?

 

[RepresentingWrath]

Wait... people don't write the ending first? How can you write a story without knowing where you are going?

You don't need an ending if you want to milk readers for money.

 

[AnonUnlimited]

To be honest I already have my ending written out, currently on SH I have 342 chapters with extra little chapters in there. Now I am just editing the future chapters and releasing them on a schedule.
When I publish a story I do it when I already completed it.
I and many others have been burned by great stories that are never to be finished, so I never want to do that to another.

342 chapters… does it get repetitive?

Wait... people don't write the ending first? How can you write a story without knowing where you are going?

A lot of people apparently,
or they have an ending in mind then change it.

When being alive he still put it out at an abysmal speed. Probably health issues we as readers did not know about. Sadly we never know what he planned for Guts's end. There were talks continuing it but then that would be like... well, let's not go there.

Not much can be done. But will have to see if it’s finished.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

The point is that we're having so much fun in the fantasy world that we don't want to leave. Why do you think fanfiction exists? The writers ended the story before the fans were ready for it to end. In the case of an ongoing series, the writers aren't writing fast enough to satisfy the fans.

 

[AnonUnlimited]

The point is that we're having so much fun in the fantasy world that we don't want to leave. Why do you think fanfiction exists? The writers ended the story before the fans were ready for it to end. In the case of an ongoing series, the writers aren't writing fast enough to satisfy the fans.

-_-

 

[Empyrea]

I have an ending for my current story, but I'm okay being flexible with it. If I feel like it needs to change or get extended then I will do so.

Some people don't have an ending in mind when they start their journey as an author, and that's fine.

I write because it's fun and I don't think we should be telling the readers or authors who like those kinds of work that they are doing it wrong.

It's a preference, and you should enjoy what you write.

 

[J_Chemist]

I feel like most authors do have some kind of end in mind for their novels, but the path towards that end always varies in length and curvature. I know that my story is planned already to be super long. Some portions will move quickly while parts, like the current arc, might feel like a slow and drawn out event. All is planned and has purpose.

So long as a novel fits that requirement, having task and purpose for its pacing while achieving plot points, I think the author is well within their creative right to do as they wish. As readers, we all want to see the big flashy stuff but sometimes a good lead up with plenty of fun details and moments along the story can make the climax far more satisfying and enjoyable. Besides- short stories are nice but having something fat with a lot of world building, character development, and neck snapping plot twists tickles my jimmies in a certain way I just can't shake.

 

[AnonUnlimited]

I have an ending for my current story, but I'm okay being flexible with it. If I feel like it needs to change or get extended then I will do so.

Some people don't have an ending in mind when they start their journey as an author, and that's fine.

I write because it's fun and I don't think we should be telling the readers or authors who like those kinds of work that they are doing it wrong.

It's a preference, and you should enjoy what you write.

-_-

I feel like most authors do have some kind of end in mind for their novels, but the path towards that end always varies in length and curvature. I know that my story is planned already to be super long. Some portions will move quickly while parts, like the current arc, might feel like a slow and drawn out event. All is planned and has purpose.

So long as a novel fits that requirement, having task and purpose for its pacing while achieving plot points, I think the author is well within their creative right to do as they wish. As readers, we all want to see the big flashy stuff but sometimes a good lead up with plenty of fun details and moments along the story can make the climax far more satisfying and enjoyable. Besides- short stories are nice but having something fat with a lot of world building, character development, and neck snapping plot twists tickles my jimmies in a certain way I just can't shake.

-_-