Joely Sue Burkhart

The End of a Series

Will Harry Potter die in the last book?

Will Rand al’Thor die in the Last Battle?

Will any of the Starks still be alive (after that bloody wedding, they were nearly all dead at the end of book 3 of the Fire and Ice series)?

Will Anita Blake finally die in a spectacular orgasm–or will Edward just shoot her?

How will the series end?

A troubling question for those of us writing longer series. PBW has questioned when to end the StarDoc series. Stephen King has ended his Dark Tower series and was quoted as saying “tough titty” to the readers who were dissatisfied. How many people were bewildered or dissatisfied with the ending of The Sopranos this year?

It’s a tricky balance to end the series with enough excitement and emotion that people will read that far–but also not disappoint them. When people have invested that much time in your series, they will understandably grieve. They won’t want it to end. They certainly don’t want the characters they’ve loved and cried for and worried about for years to die.

I’ve known for years how the My Beloved “Blood” trilogy would end, and if you’re not bawling like a baby, then I haven’t done my job. But there is so much joy and happiness, too, that I hope you won’t be too ticked at me.

Series writers: how do you plan to end your series?

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 17th, 2007 at 6:00 am and is filed under Writing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

8 Responses to “The End of a Series”

MerylF Says:
July 17th, 2007 at 6:49 am
Tears huh? I’ll have my tissues handy.

I loved the ending of the Earthsea quartet; it was bittersweet but satisfying. I think as long as everything is wrapped up, fans won’t be too upset.
Christine d'Abo Says:
July 17th, 2007 at 6:56 am
I’m lucky because each book in my series is pretty self contained. I hope by the last book you’re really hooked on my hero. So much writing between now and then though.
Maude Says:
July 17th, 2007 at 8:31 am
Oh, dear, does it have to end?!?!?!

I hope that Harry lives!

I hope Edward shoots Anita Blake!

Maybe you can use another character to carry on at a later date.

My series ends, but the world does not. I have managed to worldbuild in a way that I can write different series, etc. Different character that might not even know each other.

You know how I love those butterfly wings!
May Says:
July 17th, 2007 at 10:28 am
By now, everybody knows I want Harry Potter to DIE!! Please kill him off, JK Rowling!

I plan to end the worlds I’ve created at some point–this book is called Not Rapture on my writing blog.
Ann Says:
July 17th, 2007 at 10:32 am
I’m still building my worlds, and you want me to think about endings? I guess in that case, I’ll just say the the stories may end but the worlds will go on (somehow).

Personally I don’t want Harry to die. Maybe he could settle down someplace quiet and be a hermit. Or maybe the next Defenst Against the Dark Arts teacher?

Maybe Anita shoots Edward? (Try reading that with a straight face *g*).
Bri Says:
July 17th, 2007 at 11:10 am
1. Harry should die
2. If there aren’t any Starks left, I might just…I don’t know. It wouldn’t be pretty.
3. Rand…meh. It’s gone on so long, I almost don’t care. But Matt and Perrin had better be alright.

I sort of agree with some of the above. As long as the series ends in a satisfying manner - and all questions are answered, all things wrapped up - I can handle it.

As far as how I’m going to end my own series - I know a good chunk of the cast doesn’t make it and I know I would rather have a bittersweet ending than a happy ending. Bittersweet always rings more true to me.
Joely Says:
July 17th, 2007 at 11:47 am
Meryl, I rather like sob stories myself. Read Guy Gavriel Kay!

Christine, I like self-contained stories too–but I really like to get to know longer-lasting characters, like Cherijo in PBW’s StarDoc series.

Maude, the main trilogy will “end” but the world doesn’t. I could write in that world for an eternity.

May, I sort of agree with you, although I haven’t read the whole HP series.

Ha, ha, Ann. I don’t see Anita shooting Edward. LKH claims Anita considers Edward a brother, but part of me worries that she might drag him into an arduer situation! *gag*

Bri, I agree–satisfying and bittersweet. It’s the bittersweet ones that haunt me (in a good way).
GutterBall Says:
July 17th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
Well, of the trio in my trilogy, one will die, one will be brought back by great sacrifice, and one will die forever. And one will have to live with the knowledge that it should have been him/her.

And there’s this teaser final sentence that I’m sure will have me running for my life.

M	T	W	T	F	S	S
« Jun				Aug »
						1
2	3	4	5	6	7	8
9	10	11	12	13	14	15
16	17	18	19	20	21	22
23	24	25	26	27	28	29
30	31

The End of a Series

8 Responses to “The End of a Series”

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