Reader/writer Contract . . . Resolution

[sartorias]

Pretty much what it says up there.

What are the elements of a good resolution for you? Does it depend on genre, or are there some expectations beyond genre, that you expect of any novel?

Comments

[whswhs]

I'm not sure how my sense of acceptable resolution could be affected by genre. I'm interested in genre and indeed happy to make fussy distinctions about it, but at that level it seems to me that story is story. If the tension created by the initial situation is not relaxed before the dénouement, I'm going to be unsatisfied.

[sartorias]

Yeah, I feel that way too, though I find that there are some distinctions relevant to genre that do influence my expectations. For example, when I pick up a romance, my expectation is of a happily ever after resolution. It can be the most wrenching and powerfully written tragic resolution ever, and I'll hurl the book into the recycle bin and never touch that author again. But that same ending in another book where my expectations were not set up for that, and I'll not feel rooked.

[marycatelli]

That's because the tension type affects the genre too.

[whswhs]

I'm not sure I understand how that's a response to my comment. Was it meant to be a reply to sartorias?

[_profiterole_]

Sometimes endings fall a bit flat, but I don't really mind. What I don't like is when there are tons of character deaths.

[sartorias]

Yup. You and me both.

[queenoftheskies]

I know there are some genres (like romance) where certain types of endings are expected, but mostly, when I read spec fic, it seems to me that the ending should be some type of satisfying resolution.

I know there are authors in some spec fic genres who think many characters must die or something huge and unexpected should save (or destroy) the day, but that doesn't work for me and I'll give up on authors who do that repeatedly.

For me, a strong story must shape the characters and in turn allow the characters to have some role in shaping the ending. It must be a satisfying conclusion to the events of the book/series. It might be a surprise, but I should be able to look back and see where it came from.

Otherwise, I'm disappointed.

[sartorias]

Yeah, that's what I mean by gaining agency. (And Frodo gains tremendous agency though he steadily loses power.)

[anna_wing]

Genres have certain expected structures. Happy-ever-after for the primary couple in a genre romance is probably the best known and the most rigid. A logical, reasonably foreshadowed solution to the mystery (who killed the Colonel/stole the pig) in novel with a mystery. A convincing monster/horrifying situation in a horror novel, which can be either defeated or victorious, depending on how much existential despair the novelist goes in for. But otherwise I am satisfied if the ending is consistent with the characters, the situation and the general tone of the novel. By the time one gets to the end of "The Lord of the Rings", one is not actually expecting a particularly jolly, cheerful ending (especially if you have read the Appendices), but it is emotionally and structurally satisfying.

The structural expectations are far weaker in non-genre novels.

[avashida]

I thought this might be a good place to leave this question... Amazon just sent a message saying the release of A Sword Named Truth has been cancelled. I know authors don't have much/any control over publishing decisions, but do you know what's happened? And when it might be available again?

Sorry for bugging you, I didn't know who else I might ask! Have a lovely day :)

[sartorias]

As soon as I find out, I will post. (You might try writing to DAW directly.)