In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, and Kathryn discuss:
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The pros and cons of writing with your ending in mind.
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Genre expectations.
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How page 1 establishes expectations for the end.
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Different approaches to discovering the end and the ways that end inspires our processes.
VIDEO
AUDIO
SHOW NOTES
Should you know your ending before you start writing? How do you start with the end in mind? Can you make it surprising when you start with the end? How much should you know? And what if you don’t start with the end in mind?
What we talked about:
What are the pros and cons of knowing your climax before you start writing? (0:50)
How do you start with the end in mind? (4:00)
How do you make the inevitable surprising? (10:04)
Your ending does depend on your genre! (12:15)
When you start with the end how much do you need to know? (14:08)
What about those who don’t have the end in mind? (23:20)
LINKS
Things we mentioned:
Steven Covey
On Writing by Stephen King
Have thoughts, questions, other examples? Join the conversation at the Story Works Writers Facebook group.
Do you enjoy the show?
Do you learn something every week?
Do you feel like you have company on your writing journey?
About Your Hosts
Alida Winternheimer is an award-winning author with an MFA in writing from Hamline University. She pursues her fervor for all things story as a writing coach, developmental editor, and teacher. Two of her short stories were nominated for the Pushcart Prize. She is the author of The Story Works Guide to Writing Fiction Series. Alida lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her Golden Retriever, Seva the Wonder Dog. She camps, bikes, and kayaks in her free time. Unless it’s winter, in which case she drinks chai by the fire. You can find more at www.alidawinternheimer.com.
Kathryn Arnold writes fantasy and anything else that sparks her creativity from her home in Kingston, Washington. She currently earns her living as an insurance underwriting assistant, where she also creates marketing and web copy. When not writing, she plays (and teaches) piano and keyboard in a band (or two), and is working on starting a ministry team with her husband. You can find Kathryn at www.skyfirewords.com.
Robert Scanlon was born in Australia, but whisked off to England when only a baby. After many years complaining about the weather, he did the sensible thing and moved back to Australia. Despite a career in the music industry, followed by decades teaching public speaking, Robert is an introvert who adores reading. Robert grew up on a diet of sci-fi masters, eventually discovering he had read the library’s entire science fiction section. Now he has to write his own. Robert is the author of Constellation, book one of the Blood Empire space opera series. Find out more at www.RobertScanlon.com