Those words should have been the first hint that the ending
of my WIP Cabin Fever: A Seamus McCree
Novel was not working for all of my readers. One of my beta readers, who was visiting and read the
book downstairs while I was working upstairs, uttered those words as she
finished Cabin Fever. My reaction to
her outburst was “Good, the surprise ending worked!”
That deceptive belief held as I got feedback from a couple
of other readers who liked the book and made no particular comments about the ending.
And then I received a written critique back from a long-term beta reader who I
knew to be a fan of my characters. She wrote, “The ending doesn’t work for me.
No, it’s stronger than that: I hated the ending.” She went on to explain why.
Quickly on the heels of that red flag another negative
reaction to the ending arrived in my inbox. I sent the last few chapters to a
former critique partner who had read (well more fairly been subjected to) an
early version of the manuscript and asked her specifically about the ending. After
reflection she decided she did like it, but her initial reaction had also been
unfavorable. I went back and questioned the “You Can’t Do That!” reader to
understand what was behind her exclamation and discovered I had fooled myself.
It wasn’t just that I had surprised her with the ending; her outburst came because
she did not find the ending satisfactory.
One disgruntled reader is worth listening to and then probably
ignoring. If two readers say the same thing it is worth exploring. When it
reaches three (particularly when it is out of seven) I knew I had a major
problem. I had broken the implied promise between writer and reader: if you invest
time in my book, I will make it worth your while.
I’ve changed the ending. So far those I have shared it with
uniformly like it. I gave the revised manuscript to one final beta reader. She has
never read my works so gave it a fresh eye. As this blog was in draft status
she sent me her comments and suggestions, none of which related to the ending.
I can breathe again.
Next step: polishing the manuscript for submission.
~ Jim
For myself, I like a surprise ending, one I never guessed, but that being said, even a surprise ending doesn't satisfy me if it totally goes against what I would like to see. I think you were wise to change it.
ReplyDeleteOne of my critique partners recently got an offer from an agent to represent her. Besides some edits, she wanted the ending changed. I know we, her critique partners, weren't satisfied with it, either, but she said the two who had parted at the end would get together again in the next book. Now she's going to change the ending and make it a stand alone book.
You are so right about heeding a suggestion if it is made by several trusted critique partners or beta readers. Once negative reaction can just be a matter of personal taste, more than that usually means a craft problem.
ReplyDeleteThere is an old saying,"If one person calls you a donkey, laugh. If two people call you a donkey, think about what you're doing. If three people call you a donkey get a saddle."
ReplyDeleteI agree that the ending had to be changed, but then I was one of your beta readers. If the book had been one of a trilogy, all of which would be published simultaneously or at least within the same year, you might have been able to get away with the original ending. But, that wasn't the situation. I'm so glad you changed it.
ReplyDeleteMy only hesitation was that the POV changed, and it was the only chapter in that POV (I think?). Adding one more chapter somewhere after the son comes into the story in that POV, no narravtive, but just his take on his father's situation, perhaps even acknowledging the reader would set off that last chapter, and might be an interesting variation to the third person.
It could be interesting especially if any of the books in your series switches to the son as the main character. Will you go back and forth? In the books where the son is the MC, you could have the father's take on the situation his son is in. Just a suggestion, but it could be unique and fun!
I agree, Jim. If three people are giving you the same comment, you need to listen to what they're saying. I guess if you still disagree with them, arm wrestling is the next step, followed by pistols at dawn.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the comments.
ReplyDeleteGayle, I can't remember who it was, but I'm thinking it was Stonewall Jackson (Civil War general for the south) while he was an instructor at VMI was once was challenged to a duel. Since the one challenged gets to choose the weapons, he picked cannons at ten paces -- which ended the proposed duel!
~ Jim
Jim, it sounds as though you made the right decision in changing the ending. You're lucky--as I am--to have first readers you trust and who trust you enough to give honest criticism.
ReplyDelete