tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post7438598622141620706..comments2024-03-28T18:40:05.789-04:00Comments on Writers Who Kill: What Just Happened?Jim Jacksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-44053164984531252762010-09-17T20:47:50.891-04:002010-09-17T20:47:50.891-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Ellis Vidlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11918353154644739285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-29742069113384142572010-09-17T20:45:53.053-04:002010-09-17T20:45:53.053-04:00I enjoy stories that stick with me and make me thi...I enjoy stories that stick with me and make me think, but I also like resolution. I want to know what happened. If your story leaves things unresolved, I'd probably find it frustrating and not be too happy. Remember The Lady and the Tiger? I hated that story. <br />Just call me curmudgeonly.Ellis Vidlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11918353154644739285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-65629188812129527772010-09-17T11:00:23.453-04:002010-09-17T11:00:23.453-04:00I should have mentioned this in my original post. ...I should have mentioned this in my original post. Remember the classic short story, "The Lady or the Tiger?" that left the reader to decide which came out of the door? This is a perfect example of an ending decided by a reader.Ramonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00627775403015684868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-83818200422482249272010-09-17T10:57:34.311-04:002010-09-17T10:57:34.311-04:00I agree that, to satisfy readers, a novel needs to...I agree that, to satisfy readers, a novel needs to resolve the primary conflict. But I can think of many satisfying books that leave some element of doubt in the reader's mind either about a crime or the killer's motivation. I think that reflects reality, and I like it. <br /><br />This is probably personal taste more than anything else. I really enjoy books with unreliable narrators or ones that challenge the reader to choose or decide. <br /><br />Sometimes, what's unresolved is quite simple, and used to drive a series. In cozy mysteries, for instance, there are many series with sleuths who are torn between two lovers for book after book. That can be fun--or frustrating--if it goes on too long.Ramonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00627775403015684868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-3248353759657606242010-09-17T10:08:10.983-04:002010-09-17T10:08:10.983-04:00I agree with Jim and Polly that a novel should tie...I agree with Jim and Polly that a novel should tie up loose ends and not leave the reader having to work to solve the ending. If a short story stays in a reader's mind, something must be working. If I understand correctly, only the reader who liked stories to make sense nailed the ending. I'm guessing because I haven't read the story, but something needs further clarification would be my guess.Pauline Alldredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00847008019331163905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-85227059392577553672010-09-17T09:38:24.781-04:002010-09-17T09:38:24.781-04:00I don't write short stories, but I think they ...I don't write short stories, but I think they have a different objective than a novel. I agree with Jim. I'd feel cheated if a novel left me hanging, but not so in a short story. And if I wrote one and the reader said it hung in her mind for a long time after, I'd feel I succeeded in doing my job.Pollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05909527054015612656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-60369442614126589972010-09-17T08:58:10.562-04:002010-09-17T08:58:10.562-04:00Life often doesn't have clear resolutions, so ...Life often doesn't have clear resolutions, so there is no reason fiction has to.<br /><br />That said, if the work were a full-length novel, I would feel cheated. I've invested a lot of time and I prefer the threads tied off by the final page.<br /><br />With short stories, I am more ?tolerant? ?forgiving? -- but you can see by my word choices, I prefer resolution in the stories I read.<br /><br />~ JimJim Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.com