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originally posted in: Opinions on “timeskip endings”?
Edited by CommonBlueberry: 9/12/2021 3:52:47 AM
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As with most plot elements, it really depends on the story. My favorite thing about timeskip endings is that they put a damper on the writer creating sequels that probably shouldn't exist. If the audience already knows how the character's life turns out after resolution, then it'd be really awkward to throw in a sequel in between the resolution and timeskip ending. I really don't like it when writers use a timeskip ending to introduce a new problem; it's basically just a form of a cliffhanger. It creates this tantalizing effect where the resolution doesn't feel like a resolution because the audience knows there's another conflict looming around the corner. However, i do like it when writers use a timeskip ending to set up the next season/sequel of the story. That way, the next part of the story can kick off very fluidly since the writer doesn't have to stop and explain what happened between seasons. The way i like to think about it is that with every end, there is a new begining. Whether a timeskip ending is appropriate depends on how turbulent the new beginning is. The more mundane the next part of the character's life is after the story, the more appropriate a timeskip ending is. The audience wants to know what a character's life is like after a resolution, but they don't want to miss out on any more adventures. I think it's worth noting that timeskip endings work worse with kid and teen characters than adults because adults tend to settle down easier than kids/teens. I also think a timeskip ending is a great way to reinforce themes. They show how a character not only learns something throughout the story, but also how they applied to their life going forward. Imo, Uncharted 4's timeskip ending is probably as close to perfection as you can get witha timeskip ending. Thank you, Mr. Aifos, twas' quite a thought provoking post.
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  • [quote]Whether a timeskip ending is appropriate depends on how turbulent the new beginning is. The more mundane the next part of the character's life is after the story, the more appropriate a timeskip ending is.[/quote] I like this way of deacribing it. To this end, I think my timeskip works; the next chapter of these characters’ lives is that they do settle down a bit. While I do have a potential sequel in mind, I don’t think it’d be something that happens any time soon. Though, let me ask a followup question. This timeskip more specifically happens one year after a character had died, and it’s a sort of “anniversary of their death” type thing. As I only learned afterwards, that’s actually something that’s done a lot. What’s your opinion on a “funeral timeskip”? Think it might be overdone?

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  • I've heard of funeral timeskip endings, but I don't think they're as cliche or overdone as anything else out there. They might be enjoying some recent popularity because i think that's how Avengers: Endgame ended, so people are still riding the coatails of that. Ending with a funeral can be pretty somber, but, if done right, it can be a very powerful closer as well. It really brings into focus the efforts of that chartacter in relation to the main theme.

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  • Ugh, is that how Endgame ended? Bleh, that means if I got this published any time soon that might be how I come off as. Well, I guess that’s another thing to keep in mind. It may be worth noting it’s not a funeral-funeral. The skip to a year later is there so that the ending revolves around what these characters think after they’ve had time to reflect on it all, rather than their immediate reactions. Still, probably same deal, right? Thanks for the input! This ending has been stressing me out way too much. >.<

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  • Im pretty sure Endgame ended with a funeral-funeral, so i don't think you have much to worry about in that regard. To me, it sounds like this ending is very reflective, like an emotional summarization of all the struggles and lessons learned throughout the story. This is a big chance to nail those themes home, so maybe, instead of thinking within the context of the story, try to think from the outside? Think about what you, the author, are trying to teach the reader about life with this book, then apply those lessons in the thoughts of your characters. Alternatively, you could think about the decisions the characters have made while they've had time to reflect over the past year; decisions that take the lessons learned from the characters death and puts them into action in their lives. Then, during the little funeral gathering thingy, summarize the big takeaways from the entire novel in the context of the characters. [spoiler]idk what i'm trying to say here, i'm just thinking about how i would approach your little predicament. [/spoiler] Or maybe you just could write what feels right, then leave it be for a day or two. Maybe, after a good night's sleep, you'll just know what to do.

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  • That’s actually what I’ve done. I took a step back, looked at what the ending was trying to say, and then double checked those points. Doing so did definitely make it a little better, but I’m still stressing over it. I think it’s that the story’s done, and I’m just waiting for a few peer readers to give me their thoughts. In the meantime, I don’t have anything to write, but I’m so close to finishing it for good. Not having anything to write makes me stressed! >.< Hm.. I suppose I did primarily focus on one character—they showed up late, so everyone else had already spoken by the time they arrive. Showing everybody’s not-funeral speech might be a little much, though, I think. >.>

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  • You're too smart for me lol. Maybe you could just write some filler in between the resolution and the timeskip ending. It shouldn't be included in the final product, but cute stories of the characters doing mundane things like going to the grocery store or celebrating a birthday might be some short, fun projects to keep your mind occupied while you wait for feedback. Focusing on your latecomer is great; it allows you to summarize your ending from a consistent voice. As far as the other characters go, you don't have to put their full speech, maybe just a line or two of dialouge outlining their future plans. You're a good writer though, i'm sure you have a decent idea of what is too much or too little, so just go with what sounds right.

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  • [quote]You're too smart for me lol. Maybe you could just write some filler in between the resolution and the timeskip ending. It shouldn't be included in the final product, but cute stories of the characters doing mundane things like going to the grocery store or celebrating a birthday might be some short, fun projects to keep your mind occupied while you wait for feedback. [/quote] Haha, that actually sounds great! The timeskip actually has a few cute scenes like this, before they head to the not-funeral and it was pretty fun. Maybe if they’re good enough I can even bundle them up in a short story collection thing! :p [quote]Focusing on your latecomer is great; it allows you to summarize your ending from a consistent voice. As far as the other characters go, you don't have to put their full speech, maybe just a line or two of dialouge outlining their future plans. You're a good writer though, i'm sure you have a decent idea of what is too much or too little, so just go with what sounds right.[/quote] I sort of summarized their future plans, mostly by them mentioning where they’ve been over the past year. (Ex: “So, you guys drove up here from BlahBlahBlah? Color me surprised….” “Be thankful you don’t live with him, it’s all you would’ve heard about for months!” “How’s the mansion?” “I’ve been there for a year, and somehow it’s still just as messy as when I arrived.”) Amd, with the context of the rest of the story it’s [i]hopefully[/i] enough for the reader to assume where they’ve been, which should be enough to assume where they’re going. That’s actually one of my concerns, though. They’re never super explicit about where they’ve been (because saying “Oh, hey, remember when I moved into BlahBlah’s mansion a year ago? Wasn’t that fun?” is a little unrealistic. :p), so I wonder if I’m not clear enough on some of them. It’s hard for me to tell, because I already know where all of them went. >.<

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  • Yeah, i think, if you're done with it for now, just wait for the peer reviewers to take a look at it. Maybe you could tell them what you were trying to go for with the ending, so they have a sort of reference when critiquing your work. There's some stuff that readers from the outside can see that the author can't. After you do your little writing session for the next few days, maybe try setting aside an extra minute or two to reread the ending, giving it some minor tweaks as you see fit.

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  • I just wish I had some faster peer reviewers. -.- I want them to go in blind, though. I’m a believer in death of the author; what they get out of the book is far more important than what I wanted to say. I’m more interested in hearing their thoughts, so I tried to tell them basically nothing. :p But yeah, I guess I’ll leave it alone for now. I hate not having an active role in moving forward, though.

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