Confession time- Sometimes I have premises and plans for stories, but NEVER know how they end, until I get to the “end”.
The other night, while lying in bed, a story was keeping me awake. I was at home that night and hadn’t set the security alarm, and it woke me out of the “drift off stage” of comfort. I have an app on my phone to set our alarm from anywhere, so I pushed the “STAY” button and rested my head back on my pillow. Then the story came:
What would happen if someone broke in? I typically only wear underwear to bed, so I would feel “naked”. Then I decided my best course of action would be to hide beneath my bed. The story, “The Naked Entrapment of Hilary Lipton,” was formed, literally overnight. I was so excited to get it out.
But, I have a HUGE problem with it. I am unsure of the ending. I need an alternate ending. I wrote all about what her thought process was, while being trapped under her bed, but when I got to the end, I admit I choked. It feels abrupt and empty to me, but it is also a very long story. It seemed to warrant a quick ending.
What do you do if you aren’t pleased with an ending? Post “alternate endings”? Or do you just leave it and let it drive you mad? Or, do you start over again and plan for a new ending?
