Saying
Goodbye to Characters
You know that bittersweet moment
when you finish reading a book and can’t bear to part with a character you’ve
come to love for 300 pages? I’ve tried to make my characters as memorable and
hope someday to invoke that emotion in my readers, but I never thought about
having that same feeling when writing about a character.
I’m currently putting
the finishing touches on the third book in the Reality Series and finding it
tough to say goodbye to Beth and Scott. They’ve been with me for a couple of
years now, but it’s time they made room for the other voices in my head.
I realize it’s the
appropriate time to end of their story. I’m even happy with the ending I wrote
for them, but the act of actually ending their
place in brain has me conflicted.
I introduced them to each other,
made them fall in love, and gave them a few hurdles to jump over and a few beds
to fall into. I’ve gone into their pasts and secured their future. My work here
as their creator is done. So why do I feel like I’m abandoning them?
I’m aware they are
fictional and their fate in my hands, maybe that’s exactly why it feels so
daunting to say goodbye.
I’m sure I’m not
alone in this sentiment and realize there must be ways to conquer this feeling.
For now I’m going to heed the advice of another writer friend of mine and
proceed to re-read the third and final book until I feel like I’m sick of Beth
and Scott.
I love all my characters. At the end of a story, I often put in an Epilogue, so that I can "finish out" their path. It has helped me to do that, and maybe it would help you. I put them somewhere in the future in a sweet little scene, to show that they truly "made it" to HEA.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susabelle. I usually don't do epilogues, but did in the final one. I gave all the minor characters a quick 'toast' to the couple. I do love the set in the future epilogues too, they seal definitely seal the HEA.
DeleteI felt the same way, Ally the other day. I'm saying good-bye to my couples by giving them their own special time alone within the pages, but my heart still ached. It's now time to close the door, knowing that future readers will enter their world for the first time, and I pray they'll fall in love with my characters as I did, too. Thanks for sharing your post today.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary. Glad to know I'm not the only one who gets attached to something I made up! Strange concept when you really think about it. :)
DeleteI'm right there with you, Ally, in hating to let go. The only way I have found to get over it is to start writing the next series.
ReplyDeleteGood advice! My other WIP main character is 20 years younger, completely different voice in my head.
DeleteIt varies with me on how sad I am to say goodbye. I think it's because I don't really feel like I'm the creator and they don't always do what I want. But some are harder to let go of them others. I used the hero in my first book in my third book and he has "cameo roles" in his sons' books. And I'm planning to write his daughter's book someday. And sometimes goodbye is not forever even with the same book. I've been revising my backlist to put them out as ebooks, and I'm excited for a chance rewrite the stories of two different couples, hopefully this summer.
ReplyDeleteMary, that's really interesting. I like the cameo roles. You're right, goodbye doesn't have to mean forever (song from the 70s?). Thanks!
DeleteOh, what a good post. I so agree! I hate saying goodbye to my characters--that must be why series or connected storylines are so popular, as you all mentioned. I mean, we love our people--and we just hope they're still getting along okay, even now ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Barbara. Yes, I hope I gave them a good future.
DeleteI think the fact that you're so attached to your characters shows what a great writer you are.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finishing your third book.
Thanks, Marlow. I needed that :)
ReplyDeleteI still think about characters I've created long "The End" is written. But by the time I get to the end of writing a story, there's usually other characters and plots whirling around my head that I'm excited to start writing. Onward and upward!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jana! Exactly how I'm feeling, other characters are shouting for attention now.
ReplyDelete