When is a story "complete"?

[CynicalStrawberry]

I've been writing a story for a while (couple years), and I have 40ish chapters. I'm losing my interest in it, so I'm thinking of ending it at the nearest stopping point (45 chapters). Originally, the story was going to have one more arc (two out of the three arcs are done), and the last chapter of the second arc ends with an introduction to characters in the third arc. Basically, my story doesn't feel "complete" because there's so much more I wanted to add (the major conspiracy and romance), yet so much has happened thus far I could reasonably end it with the promise of a book two (which may never come). Also, if I end it now, it'll be a somewhat open ending, kind of like "I figured stuff out, I have a new mindset, life goes on..."

Anyway, my question to you is have you ever written something like this or been in this situation? And would you read something you may enjoy but that ends in a slightly less powerful/somewhat incomplete way?

 

[Representing_Tromba]

A lot of readers will probably feel cheated or scammed because they took the time to read something, only to have it let them down in the end. Personally, I think you should take a break and try to imagine new scenarios and how to implement them in a way that is compelling so that when you return, you have a storage of ideas ready to flow. It would be unwise to say it's completed when there is more to the story. Just take a hiatus until you're ready to come back. That said, it's your story so do whatever you think is best for you and the story.

As for your main question, yes. I have and currently am in this situation myself. Though I have no desire to finish a story, I am taking my time to cultivate ideas also work on bettering my other works through continuous editing. Eventually it will get an ending but it will hopefully be one that feels complete and rewarding for both myself and the readers.

 

[TheEldritchGod]

The Book may be done, but is the series?
Look. Your problem is, you started at the beginning. Always start at the end, leap frog back to the beginning getting the high points, THEN start writing the book. You don't know when to end it, because you had no idea where you were going.

GO THINK OF THE END.

Then choose.

 

[Jemini]

The Book may be done, but is the series?
Look. Your problem is, you started at the beginning. Always start at the end, leap frog back to the beginning getting the high points, THEN start writing the book. You don't know when to end it, because you had no idea where you were going.

GO THINK OF THE END.

Then choose.

This is the exact reason I have not yet started the 4th series I have in my head, and wound up ultimately abandoning my second (a new hero god) after only writing the intro. I did not have a firm idea on the high-points in the middle of the story for A New Hero God, and I don't even have a proper ending in mind yet for the 4th. Only a starting premise.

 

[georgelee5786]

I would read something that doesn't end powerful, yes. Like AoT, I didn't find the ending very good or memorable, but I'd reread it because I enjoyed the majority of it.

 

[J_Chemist]

I'm actually nearing the end of my story's first arc and for a while, almost 10 chapters or so in the middle of it, I wondered how and where I would even wrap it up. I know the overall end of my story and have some events planned, but my current arc wasn't something I had actually thoroughly planned... It actually exploded on me and now I have this... thing that weighs heavily on my MC. Is it a bad thing? No. But it happened and now I'm dealing with it.

The ending to this arc actually came as a random idea that I fleshed out, talked with friends and acquaintances over, and actually put the most thought into when I was drunk. Now it's closing up very neatly. There is a lot more I would like to add, more things I want to do, more blood to be shed, and honestly; looking from the end backwards I see much more that I could have added in terms of character growth. Things just seemed so... fast. But, it's a natural ending. It's coming to the finale at just the right time and the crescendo is working just the way I, the maestro, need it.

It may leave a sour taste in some reader's mouths, the way I end it, but the show must go on and this train does not go gently into that good night. I have made that clear with events before so they better be ready for it. As I always aim with my individual chapters; so long as the arc ends in a concise and understandable manner, then I am satisfied with it. Regardless of the ending that happens.

That also goes for any story I read. The ending doesn't need to be powerful. It doesn't have to be some grandoise, explosive rattling of emotion that brings tears to my eyes or makes me leap with joy after the Hero achieves victory. No. It can be a solemn, quiet ending. One where the characters come to peace. A quiet whisper where, after some trials, the couple just sits down and smiles warmly with one another over a cup of coffee and is now looking forward to a joy filled life ahead of them. Maybe an adventurer finally decides to call it quits and finds himself sitting down at a bar he loves with a pretty waitress serving him a beer, causing him to decide to marry her and have a family.

So long as the ending brings the story to a conclusion and the individuals involved have an end with closure that is both believable and matching of their characteristics, I am satisfied as the reader.

The story ends when the plot is complete. The goal the MC set out to achieve has been achieved, the big bad boss is dead and the world is saved, or the harem is established and the MC is now forking them regularly like some rabbit with an aphrodisiac. But, the ending doesn't need fireworks.

 

[Syringe]

You ultimately decide, but I think a story should end when the major focus of the story is resolved. A quick epilogue like something from Deltora Quest's ending about their future lives can help alleviate it, but it'll still feel like a slap in the face if your readers came in with high expectations (and if ongoing issues mentioned from the start aren't resolved at all).

Still, a good idea would be to call it volume 1 or book 1. Or to announce a hiatus with an ETA or none at all. Being transparent will help.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

Get pregnant, and then people will understand why you can't write anymore.

 

[Deleted member 54065]

I've been writing a story for a while (couple years), and I have 40ish chapters. I'm losing my interest in it, so I'm thinking of ending it at the nearest stopping point (45 chapters). Originally, the story was going to have one more arc (two out of the three arcs are done), and the last chapter of the second arc ends with an introduction to characters in the third arc. Basically, my story doesn't feel "complete" because there's so much more I wanted to add (the major conspiracy and romance), yet so much has happened thus far I could reasonably end it with the promise of a book two (which may never come). Also, if I end it now, it'll be a somewhat open ending, kind of like "I figured stuff out, I have a new mindset, life goes on..."

Anyway, my question to you is have you ever written something like this or been in this situation? And would you read something you may enjoy but that ends in a slightly less powerful/somewhat incomplete way?

One of the peeves of readers is a story that gives them 'hope' and 'enjoyment', only to be left hanging in the end. It's the reason why a lot of them usually 'bookmark' a story, just to see if the author would continue and finish it.

Now then, if you're losing interest in your work, you have several options. First, stop writing and take a break. A hiatus might be good. Just be sure to tell your readers that you'll be doing so, so they're not left guessing what happened to you all of a sudden. Second option is, just like what you're thinking, finish the story. However, if you plan to leave some 'plot holes' or 'unresolved issues', this is not recommended. Not only you would attract the anger of your readers, your reputation as an author might suffer as well. Third, be honest and tell your readers what's going on. However, use this option if you have no other choice left (i.e. you did first and second options, but still unsuccessful), apologize and hope they would understand. Readers are kind of unreasonably demanding nowadays, see?

As for the question, well, I've written lots of unfinished stories, though I never published them. The ones I uploaded, I resolved to finish it. I started to take writing seriously back in May 2019, and now my story has 15 volumes done and the 16th is on the writing table. I also got two other unrelated series on the works, and a manga/graphic novel as well.

And for the titular question...a story is 'complete' when the author decides it is complete. Only, we all have different interpretations on what is complete, and what may be 'done and good' for us may not be for others, hence the disappointments.

 

[ACertainPassingUser]

When the Author declare so.

Author can just put "complete" anytime he wants, even in the middle of Cliffhanger.

Even when there's lots of unanswered question, unexplored lore, secrets hidden in the closet, etc. It's already complete if the Author declare so.

What happen in the future of the story is Author's decision afterall.

Some story that should've been declared complete long time ago by it's reader canp be prolonged and continued when the author declare so.

And stories where it should've been continued because there's lots of unresolved conflicts and events were unexpectedly solved in a botched way to reduce time and declared Completed soon after.

It's a bit better than just plain old hiatus tho.

 

[CynicalStrawberry]

Thanks, you guys have good suggestions. The thing is, my story could very well be complete at this point. It doesn't match my initial intention, but enough has happened that I could see it as done (the romance hasn't developed though, it's left more open). But I just can't tell if my readers will see is that way or not, so I'm going to put a poll up and see if people want me to complete it here, or put it on hiatus.

 

[TheEldritchGod]

This is the exact reason I have not yet started the 4th series I have in my head, and wound up ultimately abandoning my second (a new hero god) after only writing the intro. I did not have a firm idea on the high-points in the middle of the story for A New Hero God, and I don't even have a proper ending in mind yet for the 4th. Only a starting premise.

Give him a weapon. He now the name of that weapon plus messiah.

Spear messiah.
Shotgun messiah.
Toothpick messiah.

Ends with him blowing everyone the fuck up with his weapon of choice.

Explosions. Bitches love explosions.

 

[Jemini]

Explosions. Bitches love explosions.

KYAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!