As I mentioned a few posts ago, I’ve been reading Nevil Shute again…my comfort food equivalent in books. I’ve noticed a lot of things, but one that struck me in particular is how good he is at ending chapters. The last sentence or couple of sentences of each chapter seem to do one of three things.
A hook – Something so exciting that it makes you turn the page, even if it’s midnight and you really should’ve gone to bed an hour before.
The truth – A statement so true, so profound, you almost gasp for breath in astonishment while you contemplate it.
Emotional – A sentence or two that effectively rips your heart right out of your chest cavity. Five chapters (or even five days) later, you’re still thinking about it even though it was a minute part of the story. He’s particularly good at this and does it at least once in each book.
I have definitely worked towards “the hook” endings, and on occasion, I’ve gone for “Emotional”, but I don’t think I’ve ever succeeded to the level in which he does it. I’m not sure I’ve ever managed “the truth” ending at all. But when I revise RESTORING HARMONY, you can be sure I’m going to pay attention to these things even more. Not to copy him, but just to see what I have and see what I can make better.
I’ve heard it said that because all endings are truly beginnings of something new, the ending of your book should read not like the end, but the beginning of a new story in your character’s life. I really like this idea. You can apply this to chapters as well. Life is circular…so are stories.
I had a friend tell me that your characters should have private futures, which is a really great thing to think about, and very applicable to the idea that the end of a story shouldn’t read like “The End,” but rather the beginning of a new chapter in your character’s life. I’m definitely going to check out Nevil Shute’s books. I’ve never read anything by him.
I like that idea too.