Happily Ever After

I just finished a revision of In Memory. (Almost. There are still a few chapters I need to make another pass over. The rewriting and additions are all done.)

Anyway, after I wrote the second to last chapter (must resist urge to say "the penultimate chapter") my wife wondered what people would think of how the story ends. I wonder that, too. All I can say is some people will like it, and some might not.

I really like it. It's not the typical sort of ending for a YA novel. It pulls together the themes of the book so well, though. Better than I could have planned, and better than I ever dreamed. It leaves the past where it belongs, ties up the important threads, and stares boldly into the sunrise of the future.

Man, what a lame description. But I don't want to give anything away! Gah! I wish you could just read it!

The thing is, it's not a "happily ever after" ending. It's a realistic* ending. Some of the characters end up happy, some wonder what the heck just happened—and one is definitely not happy, but will be, eventually.

Isn't that the way life goes? Awful things that you absolutely hate fade into memories, and what you learn makes the future that much better.

But dang, when you're in the middle of life, wouldn't you give anything to be able to skip to the end and find out what happens? In a way, that's what In Memory is all about.

And now, I give you a song about that very subject, for free. You're welcome. (Okay, it's free from iTunes, not me.) "Happily Ever After" by He is We. (The link goes to the album. Click on "View in iTunes" next to the song, halfway down.)

*You know, realistic in context of being fantasy to begin with.

Comments

  1. UnknownFebruary 17, 2011 at 1:28 PM

    OK that is my kind of final chapter. Not everyone gets a truly happy ending, they get happy enough a a valuable life lesson. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ben SpendloveFebruary 17, 2011 at 7:53 PM

    I think a lot of people feel the same way, Elaine. I like that phrase, "happy enough." What more can you ask? I'd hate to get everything I've ever wanted.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kerri CuevFebruary 17, 2011 at 9:02 PM

    I agree with Elaine. I like those kind of endings that leave you awe! If I want a perfect ending I'll read a Nora Roberts book, lol.

    ReplyDelete

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