Question for the writers on my list

[switch842]

Have you ever written the end of a story first? Cos I have this one percolating and it's inspired by this song. But the song is really the end of the story. And I almost feel like I need/want to write that first. Then I can figure out how to get there.

Does that make any sense? Or is it the most bass-ackwards thing I've ever said?

Comments

[gategrrl.livejournal.com]

I've written endings first. Write what you have in your head, then write scenes leading up to it. Lots of writers write out of sequence. Besides, it's good to know the direction you're writing toward.

[switch842.livejournal.com]

OK. Good to know. This one is strange in that it's often the ending I have the most trouble with! LOL

[regann]

I've never written the ending before the beginning but I have written the ending before the middle on some longer fics and I often plot/plan out the ending before even start writing! I am very much a beginning/end person and see the middle as "the most logical way to get from point A to point B" without much planning otherwise.

[switch842.livejournal.com]

I get that. I think this fic, the middle might give me the most trouble, actually! I have the beginning, I have the end. I know I need to cover about 6 months in that time frame, but I don't know how much detail I want/need to go into. Or if I could do something as simple as "Six Months Later..." jump.

[wraith816.livejournal.com]

My bigbang is the first thing I've ever actually written mostly in order, and even then, the last couple of lines were one of the first things I've written down. Unfortunately, this is probably why I almost never finish anything because I have the end all set up and no clue what happens in the middle.

[switch842.livejournal.com]

That happens to me all the time! I have so many half finished fics and it's driving me CRAZY! That's why I really want to get this one done. Even if it takes me months to do it. Which I hope it doesn't....

[wraith816.livejournal.com]

How do you feel about outlines? 'Cause seriously, having an outline on bigbang was like the BEST THING EVER. No way in hell would I have had any idea what I was doing with it.

[switch842.livejournal.com]

I've never liked outlines. Not even in school. Don't know why, really. But I may have to consider it...

[brihana25.livejournal.com]

The only story I've ever written in order is Suffer, and even at that, I wrote part of the end when I was about halfway through with the rest.

What Dreams May Come - I dreamed most of the middle section, but the last line was the very first thing I actually wrote.

Cocidian - I wrote the tag scene first, so beyond the end on that one. But that one pretty well started at the end and bounced back and forth until the two parts caught up with each other anyway. I did the same thing with one of my ER stories.

So yeah, I do it all the time. :)

[switch842.livejournal.com]

Glad I'm not the only one. I hope I can get this one worked out....

[daniel-shadow.livejournal.com]

It does makes sense because you know how it ends and now you can write about the journey taken to that point.

[switch842.livejournal.com]

Very true.

[starlightbj.livejournal.com]

I rarely write a fic in 'order' - first chapter till last. I rarely even start with chapter 1.

If the last chapter wants you to write it first, do it. Muses know best ;)

[switch842.livejournal.com]

Muses know best ;)

That they do. And mine can be a real bitch sometimes... ;-)

[hatusu.livejournal.com]

I think you have it made if you already have your ending.

[switch842.livejournal.com]

But what if I don't know how to get there? LOL

[sassy-lion.livejournal.com]

I've written ending first, and I know quite a few people have as well. It's all what your character feels you need to know before you get to the brunt of the story.

[switch842.livejournal.com]

Right, OK. I hope I can figure out the brunt of the story...

[eviljr.livejournal.com]

I actually do that all the time. I'm glad I'm not the only one.

[switch842.livejournal.com]

Score! :-)

[eviljr.livejournal.com]

omg. That is SOO funny. I watched that ep of MST3K today. I've been spending the last few weeks marathon-ing MST3K eps, and it has really renewed my love of the show. I serious need some icons.

[riverfox.livejournal.com]

Yep. And sometimes, that "end of the story" can turn out to be the story itself. *g* But writing the end of the story can help you know where you're going, especially if that's the entire plot bunny and now you have to wait for it to breed. *g*

[switch842.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's how I'm kind of feeling at the moment. The end is the story right now. I hope I can get more.

[riverfox.livejournal.com]

Word. Don't worry, you'll get it. :)

[switch842.livejournal.com]

Thanks. ((HUGS))

[chocolate-frapp.livejournal.com]

sure, I've done it.

[gaeln.livejournal.com]

absolutely!