Need help with a conclusion

[sr71plt]

The OP includes an off-site link to a fuller version, which is against forum rules, and a later post provides more of an excerpt than another forum rule permits. If the Moderator was paying attention, these would be excised.

Well, surprise, surprise. The Mod made exactly those two trims, which is all I did here--note, because the OP asked why I posted that I was surprised that the posts hadn't been trimmed back, what would be trimmed when it was seen. And, again, I didn't report anything.

 

[ChibiFangirl]

Sp71plt, are you on your period or get dumped or anything? You seem angry. I'd seek someone to talk about your passive agressiveness.

 

[Hypoxia]

Sp71plt, are you on your period or get dumped or anything? You seem angry. I'd seek someone to talk about your passive agressiveness.

A few members here seem more interested in squabbling than discussion. Putting them on IGGY will brighten your day.

 

[sr71plt]

Sp71plt, are you on your period or get dumped or anything? You seem angry. I'd seek someone to talk about your passive agressiveness.

I got maligned on this thread. I didn't comment on the content of what you posted (and I could have; I'm a professional editor--but you wouldn't have liked my comments). So, maybe it's you who are angry and want to keep this churned up(?) It's my fault you didn't read the forum rules? I didn't bludgeon you. You asked what you did wrong in posting and I simply, politely told you what rules you didn't follow--and, surprise, they were exactly the rules that the Mod eventually applied to your posts.

 

[sr71plt]

A few members here seem more interested in squabbling than discussion. Putting them on IGGY will brighten your day.

Again, I didn't start the squabbling, LC did. So, don't go all "I'm above it" with me.

 

[MLClifton]

Sp71plt, are you on your period or get dumped or anything? You seem angry. I'd seek someone to talk about your passive agressiveness.

He's like the honey badger in that movie The Gods Must Be Crazy 2. He's relentless. Just give him the shoe, man.

 

[sr71plt]

He's like the honey badger in that movie The Gods Must Be Crazy 2. He's relentless. Just give him the shoe, man.

Point to where I have been badgering relentlessly on this thread. In response to a NOIRTRASH post, I expressed surprise certain rules-breaking posting aspects had survived. I didn't bother with any advice posts this person was receiving. Then in response to a direct question from the OP on what rules these were, I answered, simply and polititely. After that it was all responses to attacks to the badgering of others, now including you. You like to play these Internet games, apparently. If you don't, then just stop it.

 

[PervOtaku]

Visualize the ending before you start the story. Know where you're going and how you got there. Don't tell us the ending -- let the players show us how the story ends. That ending need not be conclusive. Leave things hanging, ambiguous, indeterminate, unless you kill off the characters in an explosion or plane crash. Obliteration always solves things.

Planning everything out ahead of time is usually the surest way to have a fully coherent plotline with an ending that fits the story, whether it is a final ending or one that leaves things in place for a possible sequel. These often involve antagonists or situations that must be overcome, and/or definite character arcs where the protagonist and others show personal growth or change.

But a lot of stories go the other way with it, each chapter is developed, written, and posted individually. A lot of very long runners happen this way, but I suspect those are always more difficult to craft a satisfying ending for because there's likely to be no overall plot, just a series of shorter plots involving the group of characters. By their very nature these stories are designed to go on and on until the writer tires of it or runs out of ideas.

If you're stuck in that kind of story, I don't know that there's really a good way out of it, other than perhaps to go full Cerebus Syndrome and make the final batch of chapters one that is planned out ahead of time with a solid ending. I suppose you could also pull a Rocks Fall Everyone Dies, if not in the literal sense then just by quickly ending the situation by forcing the group of characters to be split up for some reason. That would be less satisfying I'm sure but would still have a certain logic and plausibility to it.

 

[Hypoxia]

Planning everything out ahead of time is usually the surest way to have a fully coherent plotline with an ending that fits the story, whether it is a final ending or one that leaves things in place for a possible sequel. These often involve antagonists or situations that must be overcome, and/or definite character arcs where the protagonist and others show personal growth or change.

And if an author has trouble finding how to end a story, starting with the ending is comforting. They know where the story is to go. They need only focus on getting there.

But a lot of stories go the other way with it, each chapter is developed, written, and posted individually. A lot of very long runners happen this way, but I suspect those are always more difficult to craft a satisfying ending for because there's likely to be no overall plot, just a series of shorter plots involving the group of characters. By their very nature these stories are designed to go on and on until the writer tires of it or runs out of ideas.

Which brings up the other technique I champion: Define a setting, some characters, and some plot points, and set the players loose. Let them work out the action and tell the tale while the author transcribes. Sometimes they devise an ending or three. Sometimes they need a shove. Sometimes they keep going and going and...

In a long journal-type account of linked events, merely let each episode hang while leading to the next. Stuff happens; more stuff will happen next time and here's maybe a hint. Stay tuned.

I suppose you could also pull a Rocks Fall Everyone Dies, if not in the literal sense then just by quickly ending the situation by forcing the group of characters to be split up for some reason. That would be less satisfying I'm sure but would still have a certain logic and plausibility to it.

If we're not killing-off everyone then breaking them up and sending them away tends to stop the action. Of course there's the ten-year reunion / fuckfest sequel. That's another cute ending: "They all stripped enroute to the playroom. The night had just begun. The end?"