Story Endings, Calls for Submissions

A teacher in Virginia (Hello, Jennifer) who follows this blog, requested information about story endings/conclusions, so the next two blogs will address endings.

A good ending makes a story come full circle. The ending should reflect and resolve the problem or goal developed at the beginning of the story. When I conduct writing workshops with students, I encourage them to end the story with a zinger. I define a zinger as an ending that zings the reader so s/he is
1. surprised. A twist or unexpected ending enhances the overall story.
2. provoked, to think about the story more. Does the ending leave the reader satisfied?
3. feeling strong emotional attachments to the story and characters.

In this case, what works for student writers also works for professionals. Reread the story and ask yourself if the ending is a zinger. If not, think about how the ending can be rewritten to become a zinger. I like surprise endings, because they make great zingers. Humorous ending make the reader laugh. Those work well, too.

Here are more questions the writer can ask:
1. Does the ending surprise the reader?
2. Will the reader be provoked to think about the story after reading it?
3. How will the story touch the reader emotionally? Will the reader care at all? Laugh? Cry?
4. Are all ends tied up? This means that unresolved problems have been dealt with.

Next week, I’ll discuss things to avoid in writing endings.

MatadorNetwork: They’re launching a print magazine! With *BETA*, their aim “is to publish the best English-language travel writing on the planet.” Pays: “[H]ere’s the bottom line: writing that makes the cut will be paid by the word, at competitive print rates (probably at 50 cents, for now). So every word has to be worth at least a pair of quarters.” Editors recommend reading this post for some additional information: http://matadornetwork.com/pulse/8-reasons-matador-is-launching-a-print-mag/
Guidelines at http://matadornetwork.com/betamag/writers-guidelines

Creative Kids The most exciting aspect of Creative Kids is that it is written by kids. Students from all over the world write for the magazine, so it includes exciting examples of the most creative student work to be found in any publication. Many kids get started by writing for the magazine’s “Write On” section. Here, kids express themselves by writing short opinion pieces about issues they face on a day-to-day basis.
Become a Creative Kids Author
Kids from all over the world read and contribute to Creative Kids. To submit your work to Creative Kids, be sure to read the submission guidelines first.
Details at Submission Guidelines

Fishing for a Contract, Part III, The Pedestal Magazine, Boodle: By Kids, For Kids

Here more ways to cast a hook to catch an editor’s attention:

Humor. Keep them laughing and you’ll keep them reading. Whether you write picture books, chapter books, or children’s novels, humor is in demand. Dav Pilky’s Captain Underpants and Barbara Park’s Junie B. Jones are series that play up the funny from page one, paragraph one, and sentence one.

Strong setting. In Coraline by Neil Gaiman, kids are scared, but not too scared. A haunted house or a dark cave sets the mood for intriguing reading. Thunderstorms and cold, dark basements can immediately conjure up eerie situations.

Foreshadowing. Drop hints of the problems that lie ahead to keep the interest high. Patricia Polacco’s Just Plain Fancy or E. B. White’s Charlotte’s Web provide clues to build reader expectation and create suspense and a sense of wonder.

Surprise ending. Snag a surprise ending with a hook. In my book, On the Banks of the Amazon, two young hunters are on a safari. I saved the biggest hook for the last line, “The wildlife hunters pick up their camera, aim and shoot again.” Eve Bunting did the same with her book, Wednesday Surprise. The surprise is saved for the last page.

Use these hooks or a combination of two or more to develop strong beginnings and endings for your stories. If you cast a hook or two, you’ll give an editor reasons to keep on reading and up your chances of reeling in a contract.

Next week, I’ll discuss story endings.

The Pedestal Magazine.
"Re: fiction for the April 2011 issue (reading cycle February 28-April 14): we will
be accepting flash fiction up to 1,200 words. Theme will be 'Husbands and
Wives.' Writers may submit up to three (3) pieces. Please do not submit work
intended to be considered for the April 2011 issue prior to February 28." Pays:
$.08/word.

Boodle: By Kids, For Kids Audience: children ages 6-12. Publishes stories, articles, poems, mazes, puzzles, etc.
P.O. Box 1049, Portland, IN 47371. Ph. (219) 726-8141. Published quarterly. 100% of magazine is written by children.