Wednesday, May 23, 2012

A very un-scientific poll.

I'm a few thousand words from finishing Maguire's Corner.

Thank the Universe.

But, as you guys are perfectly aware, the end is just as important as the beginning.

As a reader, it's what you will always remember about the book.

So, I'm going to give you guys a brief description of my book and then I'd like you to answer a quick question for me.

There are no right or wrong answers, it's purely opinion.

Deal?

Maguire's Corner is a contemporary romance set in a small town in NY. The book begins with a murder and car chase and contains multiple crimes, more murder, kidnapping and a steamy romance all through out.

I hope that's enough to go on.

My question is this. 

Do you prefer a book that ends at the culmination of an action scene?

Do you prefer a book that ends after the action scene but there is a short wrap up of events and characters? Where everything is explained and tied up in a nice neat bow?

Do you prefer a third option that I can't think of? 


Thank you for your time!

22 comments:

  1. I like the short wrap-up. And that's how I end my books as well.

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  2. Short-wrap up with a crazy twist where the murderer tells your hero he's really his father from another timeline but because aliens destroyed his earth he came here to find you but he got a brain cloud when he traveled through time and that's why he was murdering people.

    Or something that you like instead would be fine.

    PS

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  3. I'm with Anonymous. Definitely short wrap up, but, make sure the 2 main characters don't find out they are brother and sister torn apart at birth and their father is a War Lord with a hoarse (which is like a lisp only different) and a neat flashlight.

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  4. i love a wrap up. like the end of romancing the stone. and my novel, of course!

    keep up the progress!

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  5. You're writing a romance and not a mystery novel right? Well then, I would have the happy wrap up. If it were mystery, I'd leave it where it was.

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  6. I think that you must resolve the central story issues for the reader or the reader will feel cheated.

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  7. I like everything wrapped up. Sometimes that occurs with the end of an action scene, but usually it takes a few pages of wrap up. My two cents. Now I'm going to read what others said.

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  8. I like the second option. Short wrap up please :)

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  9. I like the wrap-up. Perfect for happy endings.

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  10. Well I would go with the mass verdict on this one and do a wrap up. but maybe leave some sort of quirky question a sort of either or that would allow you to take your story onto the next book. Books do not necessarily need to end in a blaze of action if the writing is good and the twists and turns are a unpredictable, if ultimately it makes sense to the reader.

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  11. Ooh, I love giving my opinion. :) I like a short wrap up - nothing too dragged out, and maybe not all tied up neatly. I like it when I'm left to conjure some parts of the characters' future within my own mind. For example, I loved the Harry Potter series and absolutely despise the epilogue of the 7th book - Rowling wrapped up too much of the characters' futures and tied it with too crisp of a bow. And yet...that doesn't spoil the series at all for me (I just ignore the epi) so in the end, do what feels right to YOU. ;)

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  12. I'm excited for you that you're almost done! I like romances to end after the action with a short wrap-up of loose ends and the protagonist's love life. Since it is a romance, it has to focus on the relationship and so much end on that note.

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  13. Short wrap-up! Final answer. :)

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  14. Hey, congrats Heather,

    I wish I had an answer ... it really depends on the story. From your short synopsis, it seems to be a fast, action-packed story, so I think an exciting culmination to end it would be appropriate. I hope this helps.

    If it is more descriptive, detailed oriented, with a complex storyline, then I would prefer a more rounded up ending.

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  15. I like a short wrap up that doesn't actually wrap too much up. I love open endings - I like writing them, and I love reading them.

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  16. An action ending leaves the reader hanging, like something is missing. A SHORT wrap up is good; it lets me ease out of the character and let me know everything will be okay. But it has to be short. I just finished a book that dragged on for three chapters wrapping up.

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  17. I'm a total HEA kind of gal. I want everything tied up in a pretty bow. I get mad when it's not. :)

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  18. Alex – Thank you!

    PS – You’re some kind of evil genius. I like it!

    Suz – Groan. Groan. Groan!

    Tara – Sounds good. Thanks.

    Clarissa – Excellent point. Thank you.

    Liz – I would feel cheated too. Thank you.

    Carol – Fair enough. I have to agree.

    Johanna – Yes, ma’am! Thanks!

    L. Diane – So true. Thank you.

    Rob – Makes perfect sense. Thanks!

    Nicki – Thanks for giving me an example too. Great help.

    Christine – Really good info. Thank you.

    DL – Thank you!

    Michael – Thanks for your opinion!

    Annalisa – Noted! Thank you!

    L.A. – Excellent. I agree. Thank you!

    Ciara – Brilliant. Thanks!

    You guys are the best! Thank you so much for your help!
    Heather

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  19. I agree with most of the commenters that a short wrap-up is the way to go, but keep the tied up bow a little loose.

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  21. I know I'm already too late since you've finished your book, but I'm all for the wrap-up. I hate when books just end. No explanation. Nothing. A reader needs time to wind down at the end.

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  22. Michael - Well said. A little loose it is!

    Nancy - Never too late for good advice! Thank you!

    Heather

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