Ever since you presented LLLs back in October it changed how I think about endings. So happy this exists in written form now.
I see it as a "show, don't tell" but at the structural level. Put another way: don't end on a lesson, but show us how you're responding to the lesson (ie: show us that you're transformed, or show us that a dilemma isn't solved).
Now I have another image to help remember this: end like 'Space Mountain,' not 'It's a Small World.' I have a traumatic childhood experience of being stuck on a broken Disney ride for hours, and the song looped and looped and it was the first time I understood torture.
In case you never considered this, I'd totally buy wooden Charlie Bleecker anti-signs for $8. (This could be your Personal Monopoly.)
And thanks for linking to my post from yesterday! It means a lot that you shared it (you were my first mentor in WOP!) I need to go back and read those 3 essays you linked. It was a lot of fun to work on those with you, and I want to read them again fresh eyes.
I'd like to state for the record that...yea my feedback was kinda harsh and perhaps hurled you into the depths of despair BUT this turned out great, I love the ending (the irony of George's name is rich), and then the "everything happens for a reason" made me chuckle.
I struggle so much with endings, and I'll always remember the live laugh love lesson (LLLL??) you gave. I'm def still guilty but hoping that I'll tip to zinger end of the spectrum instead of LLL!
Oh yay! We chatted about me looking for writing feedback and the fees of Write of Passage blah blah. I'm signing up right this second, so thanks for sharing!
Ever since you presented LLLs back in October it changed how I think about endings. So happy this exists in written form now.
I see it as a "show, don't tell" but at the structural level. Put another way: don't end on a lesson, but show us how you're responding to the lesson (ie: show us that you're transformed, or show us that a dilemma isn't solved).
Now I have another image to help remember this: end like 'Space Mountain,' not 'It's a Small World.' I have a traumatic childhood experience of being stuck on a broken Disney ride for hours, and the song looped and looped and it was the first time I understood torture.
In case you never considered this, I'd totally buy wooden Charlie Bleecker anti-signs for $8. (This could be your Personal Monopoly.)
And thanks for linking to my post from yesterday! It means a lot that you shared it (you were my first mentor in WOP!) I need to go back and read those 3 essays you linked. It was a lot of fun to work on those with you, and I want to read them again fresh eyes.
I'd like to state for the record that...yea my feedback was kinda harsh and perhaps hurled you into the depths of despair BUT this turned out great, I love the ending (the irony of George's name is rich), and then the "everything happens for a reason" made me chuckle.
200th edition next week. Exciting!
Hahaha “everything happens for a reason” — you stuck the landing, Charlie.
This is such a memorable insight, and Space Mountain rips! From now on, I’ll do an “It’s a Small World” gut-check for my essay-endings.
I struggle so much with endings, and I'll always remember the live laugh love lesson (LLLL??) you gave. I'm def still guilty but hoping that I'll tip to zinger end of the spectrum instead of LLL!
...my mother in law surprised us at the wedding with branded soap for everyone in attendance that said "Live, Love, Lather"...
Oh yay! We chatted about me looking for writing feedback and the fees of Write of Passage blah blah. I'm signing up right this second, so thanks for sharing!
Hhm!😉
Love it Charlie.
Once you write your memoir I would totally buy a million copies of a book on the craft of writing
I love how this shaped up Charlie. I need a post it note that says "I hate poorly written endings" hanging from my laptop.
Those fucking signs!
I'm supposed to publish in a few hours. I think now have a new ending to think of ;)
Loved it, Charlie!
I did my best to not hurl you to the dark depths but lovingly shove you into a shallow pit of self doubt. The people love a redemption story.
Um . . . yeah . . . happy to help. : )
I laughed at the ending. Well done!