No, wait, no US in Mid-Earth. That quote doesn't work.
Amusingly, a few weeks ago I said you could do the chapter in the pub where everyone meets up for a drink. Of COURSE that's your finale. What else could it be. Besides a great excuse to gather a large group of characters and have them briefly discuss another large group of characters, it's a "return to 'normalcy' event. After all the shit, everyone just gets to meet up and raise a glass.
Obviously, I didn't spot Lola as the one Dr. Manhattaning herself. But, yay! Lola lives! (On a re-read I'll look for the clues. Last I remember she was physically merged with a hull, meaning she wouldn't have been thrown off to bounce a mile. There might have been a Lola-torso fused into a semi protected cubby hole in PB's hull (she WAS in an armor breach - also meaning yes, I'd have accepted that iteration of Lola barely surviving. Especially as we know Palinor magic can restore a nearly destroyed body... Not just Lola, but that pool girl I'm not gonna look up). Said torso probably caused whichever cleanup worker who found it to blow chunks... Unless whatever spell was set in motion disintegrated all of Lola on portal transit. Who cares? Lola lives! Yay!
I suspect Paul the bartender knows more than he's let on. Most bartenders I know follow news closely. But the "job" of the bartender is to pour pints and listen. Paul probably knows damn well what Yannick did, and also knows Clarke does NOT want to be greeted as the conquering hero. Pour Clarke his pint and tell him the "big news" of the men's toilet being redone and watch him laugh... As Clarke said, "Paul is good at his job."
Right. Clarke was my second choice for final viewpoint character. For we basically began with him (not counting Kaenamor and Callahan, who both died), so he's a good choice to end with.
I was, of course, with my not-so-subtle stating multiple times of "just for the record" betting on Justin/Just Enough as final viewpoint. While they've been a big part of the story, they're still, in some way "above it all," and I thought you'd go with them for some musings on everything.
But, yes, you stuck the landing. Pints in the pub was the way to go.
What a feat. Congrats!! I don't remember when I jumped in, only that I had a whole bunch of backlog to catch up on first. Still a long long time to be following a serial. It's been a blast!
And I just realised that The White Horse might just be a cheesy white knight reference? "Where the good guys who save the day hang out." Not sure if that's what you intended but it's a nice little touch. Love this for an epilogue.
The White Horse was named before I had the thought to use it as the final chapter, so the naming wasn’t intentional in that way. However, it definitely feels like it thematically lines up!
I was not here from the beginning, but I enjoyed the story from where I jumped on board. This ending works for me, especially for Clark. Congrats on spinning an epic that took 4 years and 4 months to reach the end. I know I wouldn't have started either if I knew the length in the beginning. Then again, in the same time, I've written three novels and spun my definitely shorter than yours serial that is almost done.
I’ve watched enviously as other people have romped through shorter, more sensible projects! I won’t be embarking on something this massive again in a hurry. :D
I definitely do not blame you, but it's about how it feels to write a multibook series. You come out on the other side and go, "Well, that was an interesting few years. I'll be over here doing something a little different for a bit."
“Endings have a certain essential quality, detective. I wonder, sometimes, if they are necessary in order to give context to all that came before.”
Author is allowed to be a bit indulgently meta after four years of weekly chapters.
Author is also allowed to call himself out for being a bit indulgently meta after four years of weekly chapters with Clarke's, "Context, my arse."
Agreed on both counts.
Congratulations! 👏 What an amazing achievement—and damn good ending.
Ah, glad you liked the ending! I’ve been very stressed for basically the last 12 months.
The project was a bit like:
First 6 months: worried that I’m not up to the task and have bitten off more than I can chew
Next 3 years: enormous fun, takes over my life
Last 12 months: constant panic and stress at how on earth I was going to wrap it all up
I’m inspired, as always! You made it look easy. Now you can take a nap—until the next obsession hits. 😉
I’m glad it LOOKED easy! :D
"Houston, the Eagle has landed."
No, wait, no US in Mid-Earth. That quote doesn't work.
Amusingly, a few weeks ago I said you could do the chapter in the pub where everyone meets up for a drink. Of COURSE that's your finale. What else could it be. Besides a great excuse to gather a large group of characters and have them briefly discuss another large group of characters, it's a "return to 'normalcy' event. After all the shit, everyone just gets to meet up and raise a glass.
Obviously, I didn't spot Lola as the one Dr. Manhattaning herself. But, yay! Lola lives! (On a re-read I'll look for the clues. Last I remember she was physically merged with a hull, meaning she wouldn't have been thrown off to bounce a mile. There might have been a Lola-torso fused into a semi protected cubby hole in PB's hull (she WAS in an armor breach - also meaning yes, I'd have accepted that iteration of Lola barely surviving. Especially as we know Palinor magic can restore a nearly destroyed body... Not just Lola, but that pool girl I'm not gonna look up). Said torso probably caused whichever cleanup worker who found it to blow chunks... Unless whatever spell was set in motion disintegrated all of Lola on portal transit. Who cares? Lola lives! Yay!
I suspect Paul the bartender knows more than he's let on. Most bartenders I know follow news closely. But the "job" of the bartender is to pour pints and listen. Paul probably knows damn well what Yannick did, and also knows Clarke does NOT want to be greeted as the conquering hero. Pour Clarke his pint and tell him the "big news" of the men's toilet being redone and watch him laugh... As Clarke said, "Paul is good at his job."
Right. Clarke was my second choice for final viewpoint character. For we basically began with him (not counting Kaenamor and Callahan, who both died), so he's a good choice to end with.
I was, of course, with my not-so-subtle stating multiple times of "just for the record" betting on Justin/Just Enough as final viewpoint. While they've been a big part of the story, they're still, in some way "above it all," and I thought you'd go with them for some musings on everything.
But, yes, you stuck the landing. Pints in the pub was the way to go.
Your take on Paul is absolutely the correct take. I’m not sure I had that take in my head while writing, but it’s the one I’m sticking to now.
Awesome! Congrats Simon. And sorry. Putting away something like this is bittersweet.
Thanks, Jenny! You’re absolutely right.
What a feat. Congrats!! I don't remember when I jumped in, only that I had a whole bunch of backlog to catch up on first. Still a long long time to be following a serial. It's been a blast!
And I just realised that The White Horse might just be a cheesy white knight reference? "Where the good guys who save the day hang out." Not sure if that's what you intended but it's a nice little touch. Love this for an epilogue.
The White Horse was named before I had the thought to use it as the final chapter, so the naming wasn’t intentional in that way. However, it definitely feels like it thematically lines up!
Thanks, Vanessa. :)
It must have been like having a group of friends for four years.
I was not here from the beginning, but I enjoyed the story from where I jumped on board. This ending works for me, especially for Clark. Congrats on spinning an epic that took 4 years and 4 months to reach the end. I know I wouldn't have started either if I knew the length in the beginning. Then again, in the same time, I've written three novels and spun my definitely shorter than yours serial that is almost done.
I’ve watched enviously as other people have romped through shorter, more sensible projects! I won’t be embarking on something this massive again in a hurry. :D
I definitely do not blame you, but it's about how it feels to write a multibook series. You come out on the other side and go, "Well, that was an interesting few years. I'll be over here doing something a little different for a bit."
It took a whole lot of doing, but you did it.
Thanks for all your support!