Could not agree more. Endings are critical. They can elevate all that came before or completely undermine it. I'm at exactly that point with my Substack serial Captain's Away. The first 450 pages were fun. The last 50 are torturous. (And may prove to be more than 50.) Also, George RR Martin will surely end Game of Thrones (the novels) on a much more solid footing than his impatient television colleagues (who had displayed such craft up until that point). An example of an excellent ending for me is the TV miniseries Rome, right up to Titus Pullo's last line. Sublime.
I'm slightly anxious about doing myself a disservice here, but it's possible that I find endings easier because I've not crafted anything (yet) that has required too many strands to be woven together. Fan of the simple linear narrative, me - at least when when it comes to writing.
I think you probably are underplaying what you’re doing! To adapt the ‘catch a space rocket’ metaphor: sure, catching a tennis ball is considerably simpler, but it’s still very possible to mess up the catch and drop it if you don’t know what you’re doing, or aren’t paying attention!
I think we should stretch this metaphor as far as it goes FYI.
A phrase that comes to mind is: "Nobody reads a story to get to the middle". As I approached the end of my own epic series I was super aware of that! But your stories are built on solid foundations, Simon, so it will stand tall at the end, no fear. And sorry to vote for more work for you, but I think the mini comic was ace and hope to see more of that in 2025!
Oh, also, I loved the finale and ending of Shadow of the Wolf. I'm very much looking forward to reading book 2 and 3. That's an interesting twist on the subject matter of today's post, too - endings that are partway through a longer piece. Shadow of the Wolf feels satisfying by itself, but is obviously only part 1 of a trilogy.
(I have to say, I'm glad I don't have to wait ten years to read book 2!)
Ha, yes - in my case, ending book one was okay, starting book two was a nightmare! Transition points, I suppose, can throw up problems of various kinds. I imagine you'll need some kind of deep rest after you finish Triverse..? I certainly slumped a bit after finishing the trilogy, but actually I think it was part of a necessary recharge
It was genuinely original and entertaining. As you've pointed out in the past, the more A.I. churns out bland copies, the more we need people doing homemade things like you've just done. I only wish I could draw (I know I should try...but no.)
Sticking the ending is the hardest part. I can't count how many books, comics, TV shows, and films I've encountered that fell apart at the wrap-up and denoument.
Thus far, you've always nailed your endings. On the other hand, Triverse is vastly more complicated than your prior books. On the gripping hand, you're a better writer after a decade of weekly publishing.
You got this.
Oh, look. Redactions. Tease... Hmmmm, from the length of the red bars one can calculate word length, and...
Comics - POINTS AT XKCD. As you said, you were using your own judgement of your art compared to someone else who spent thousands of hours on their craft. Looks like you've basically overcome that hurdle. Awesome.
XKCD is a great example - the art is obviously a lot cleverer than it appears on a first glance, and is actually really sophisticated, but the point is that it doesn't have to be super realistic. In fact, that would distract from its purpose.
Love the panel layout Simon! Really nice!
Thanks! Means a lot coming from you. :)
Could not agree more. Endings are critical. They can elevate all that came before or completely undermine it. I'm at exactly that point with my Substack serial Captain's Away. The first 450 pages were fun. The last 50 are torturous. (And may prove to be more than 50.) Also, George RR Martin will surely end Game of Thrones (the novels) on a much more solid footing than his impatient television colleagues (who had displayed such craft up until that point). An example of an excellent ending for me is the TV miniseries Rome, right up to Titus Pullo's last line. Sublime.
I only ever caught a few episodes of Rome, but my wife loved it. Ah, Ray Stevenson - so sad that he's not around to give us more great performances.
I'm slightly anxious about doing myself a disservice here, but it's possible that I find endings easier because I've not crafted anything (yet) that has required too many strands to be woven together. Fan of the simple linear narrative, me - at least when when it comes to writing.
I think you probably are underplaying what you’re doing! To adapt the ‘catch a space rocket’ metaphor: sure, catching a tennis ball is considerably simpler, but it’s still very possible to mess up the catch and drop it if you don’t know what you’re doing, or aren’t paying attention!
I think we should stretch this metaphor as far as it goes FYI.
I'm all for bending metaphors completely out of shape
Great issue. Love the comic—and the Scrivener shots, of course.
A phrase that comes to mind is: "Nobody reads a story to get to the middle". As I approached the end of my own epic series I was super aware of that! But your stories are built on solid foundations, Simon, so it will stand tall at the end, no fear. And sorry to vote for more work for you, but I think the mini comic was ace and hope to see more of that in 2025!
Oh, also, I loved the finale and ending of Shadow of the Wolf. I'm very much looking forward to reading book 2 and 3. That's an interesting twist on the subject matter of today's post, too - endings that are partway through a longer piece. Shadow of the Wolf feels satisfying by itself, but is obviously only part 1 of a trilogy.
(I have to say, I'm glad I don't have to wait ten years to read book 2!)
Ha, yes - in my case, ending book one was okay, starting book two was a nightmare! Transition points, I suppose, can throw up problems of various kinds. I imagine you'll need some kind of deep rest after you finish Triverse..? I certainly slumped a bit after finishing the trilogy, but actually I think it was part of a necessary recharge
Glad to hear the comic wasn't a huge embarrassment. I thoroughly enjoyed doing it, so time-permitting you can expect to see more of BIg Head Simon.
It was genuinely original and entertaining. As you've pointed out in the past, the more A.I. churns out bland copies, the more we need people doing homemade things like you've just done. I only wish I could draw (I know I should try...but no.)
Sticking the ending is the hardest part. I can't count how many books, comics, TV shows, and films I've encountered that fell apart at the wrap-up and denoument.
Thus far, you've always nailed your endings. On the other hand, Triverse is vastly more complicated than your prior books. On the gripping hand, you're a better writer after a decade of weekly publishing.
You got this.
Oh, look. Redactions. Tease... Hmmmm, from the length of the red bars one can calculate word length, and...
Comics - POINTS AT XKCD. As you said, you were using your own judgement of your art compared to someone else who spent thousands of hours on their craft. Looks like you've basically overcome that hurdle. Awesome.
XKCD is a great example - the art is obviously a lot cleverer than it appears on a first glance, and is actually really sophisticated, but the point is that it doesn't have to be super realistic. In fact, that would distract from its purpose.
Have a lovely Christmas, too! I love this article!
Thanks, Godwin! You too.