Saturday, October 23, 2010

Saying Good-bye......?

After pouring your heart and soul into a made up world filled with colourful characters and mysterious places and wondrous and magical (stupidly unrealistic) situations, how could you possible decided to not write any more about it? How could you decide to move on? I've only written the first book (and have started the second) but I know how it's going to end...and that's hard to swallow. "What is, Gemma?" Well, the fact that there is going to be an end.

We go through life, and face so many choices along the way: Yes or no? In or out? Love or hate? Good or bad? Stay or go? But that isn't always up to us. And it is NEVER up to the characters. I mean, think about it. Here I am, the creator of their world, of there lives, and I can make them do whatever I want. (Of course, they aren't real, but this is all metaphorically speaking. Don't worry, I haven't completely gone bonkers :P) If I want someone to die-They die. If I want a boy with blue hair and green eyes-POOF!-There he is!

But, now I have the biggest choice. Happy ending....or tragic? Truth be told: The tragic ending would be best. It just seems like that is the way things are meant to be, but I like to think that there is some good in the world. I like happy endings. Heck, I can't read books that DON'T have happy endings.....but can I write one?

I know that you bloggers haven't read the book (working on thinking up a few posts to introduce it!) but what would you do if you were in my shoes? Would you write three books just to end it in tragedy, though it seems right....or would you end it with a less cheesy version (though equally predictable-with a few twists) of "happily-ever-after"? Can I actually say good-bye at all?

HELP! :S

5 comments:

Susan said...

Not sure there must BE a goodbye...books and characters live on forever. Even if you aren't actually writing about those specific characters, you can still read about them :) And soon, I'm sure you will have another exciting idea to pursue...As for the endings, personally, I couldn't imagine leaving my children to face a tragic ending and would want them to achieve their dreams, emerge from their adventures triumphant! :) Maybe the characters you create (well, your favourites!) are very much like your "children" and you naturally want the best for them? I have to say, I'm all for happy, hopeful endings. They needn't be "perfect", but still optimistic somehow. How would we feel if Harry Potter had been killed by Voldemort, especially after 7 lengthy volumes of adventure? (It was terribly sad, but somehow still ok that Dumbledore was killed off, necessary to the plot and all...so, not perfectly happy, but acceptable) Or if Sam and Frodo hadn't made it on their quest to rid the world of the evil Ring? Or if Alice had been beheaded by the Queen of Hearts? Snow White killed by the wicked queen?...you get the picture. I would have been pretty upset after following these characters on their long and winding adventures, only to have them fail/die! A great story is, for me, an escape and I prefer to escape to a hopeful, satisfying place than a dreary, depressing one. Good conquers evil. I like happy endings. That said, Gone with the Wind is a great book (& movie), despite the ending. But I feel a bit jaded every time, watching for 3+ hours only to have Rhett Butler disappear into the fog :( I much prefer Pride and Prejudice...:)

Gemma said...

Thanks Susan :) I think you may be right ;)

Anonymous said...

hey, gemma....haven't heard from you on your blog for awhile! Are you busy writing? there is always room our there for one more published book...keep going strong, i think you can do it!

Alex Meglio said...

Gemma, This is obviously your true passion :) anyone can tell just by reading a few of your posts. I'm so proud of you and I know I sound like a cheesy mother right now, so I'm just going to try and answer your question :) I think that whatever feels right, is right. so trust your instincts, and don't worry,because so what if this book isn't perfect. you have an infinite number more to write. i'm looking forward to the read. :)

Unknown said...

hey hey now jamajams book/books are going to be awsome and not all are going to be well kmown but all going r to touch peoples heart weather it has a happy or sad ending i find people hope for happy endings in books cuz they feel their ending wont be but i feel the ending is just a new being and endings last only a chapter or two its what brings them to their end that matters weather their the hero the villin or just a side character the wrighter gets bord of :l