✍ Level up your fantasy writing and worldbuilding skills for free! Join 500+ other writers getting weekly tips, tricks, and inspiration delivered straight to their inbox every Friday. Claim your spot in our growing fantasy community: thetaletinkerer.com/newsletter
My notes 1. Magic vs choice - What choices must the hero make to win? 2. Power vs cost - What must the hero sacrifice to gain power? 3. Plots vs promises - What promises has the author made to the reader? Instead of resolving conflicts, tying up loose ends, and providing clear resolution, have readers experience the shadow of anticipation, the moment of transformation, and a resonant aftermath. Create echo moments that echo the finale, cause changes in the reader's understanding of the situation, and give the reader a chance to feel the weight of the consequences. A good story resolves the emotional journey the reader has experienced. Probably every type of story would improve by answering these questions. Tolkien does say what Aragorn loses - his freedom to go anywhere anonymously and have adventures. Now he will be constrained by royal duties and extreme responsibility, neither of which really delight him.
That is an excellent synthesis of the key principles! Especially by connecting them back to Tolkien and Aragorn's character arc - a brilliant observation about the price of power that many readers miss. The cost isn't just physical or magical, but can be deeply personal like losing the freedom to live as one chooses :-)
Game of Thrones final season wasn’t the only fantasy series with the terrible ending. Once upon a Time season seven was an absolute mess. Alternate versions of character characters we already seen. The first half was a slow burn, while the latter went with neck breaking speed ending with a time loop and secret Disneyland in Maine.
Wow thanks for this. I mentioned this was one of my weakest points on one of your discussions, and lo and behold you make a video like this to help people like me.
I've known the ending of my story series for a long time. What I've been working on for years is how to bring the storyline to that ending in a satisfying (possibly cathartic) way.
Please go easy on spoilers… I just began stormlight archive and the Wheel of Time and I now know about Kaladin’s dilemma and that Rand makes it to the last book :( It’s not the first time you spoil things from these books in your videos. At least warn your viewers, please
I always felt Neil gaiman was a good author that didn’t know how to end a novel. But then i noticed that trend in many authors with anticlimactic endings
I m not there yet but I m already thinking about the ending of by book Phoenix Protocol especially because I hope to make a series out of the world I m building. One thing is for certain though. The ending doesn’t tie up all plot points in the book.
@ I ve teased for a void gate (my sci-fi method of faster then light travel) needing to be established as an overall objective but that won’t happen in the first book. I want to show some more noxar culture and the complex system that basically employs the sentry legion as a mix between coalition funded standing army/military and mercenary force. There’s a lot in my head to unpack and a college of mine also asked me how to adapt his story to fit into the universe since he wants to use the noxar species directly as well.
Thanks for the advice! This was really helpful and reminded me of a lot of valuable stuff I need to keep in mind. Also I’m replying here because I felt lead to share the gospel. Please consider the message I write. To anyone reading this, There is a loving God who wants to know you and save you. Jesus died on the cross and resurrected so we can be forgiven of our sins and be saved. Repent and believe the Gospel! Please consider the state of your soul. Believe in Jesus, turn away from your sin and follow Him so you may have salvation. Life is short, please make the right choice today!
✍ Level up your fantasy writing and worldbuilding skills for free! Join 500+ other writers getting weekly tips, tricks, and inspiration delivered straight to their inbox every Friday. Claim your spot in our growing fantasy community: thetaletinkerer.com/newsletter
My notes
1. Magic vs choice - What choices must the hero make to win?
2. Power vs cost - What must the hero sacrifice to gain power?
3. Plots vs promises - What promises has the author made to the reader?
Instead of resolving conflicts, tying up loose ends, and providing clear resolution, have readers experience the shadow of anticipation, the moment of transformation, and a resonant aftermath.
Create echo moments that echo the finale, cause changes in the reader's understanding of the situation, and give the reader a chance to feel the weight of the consequences. A good story resolves the emotional journey the reader has experienced.
Probably every type of story would improve by answering these questions.
Tolkien does say what Aragorn loses - his freedom to go anywhere anonymously and have adventures. Now he will be constrained by royal duties and extreme responsibility, neither of which really delight him.
That is an excellent synthesis of the key principles! Especially by connecting them back to Tolkien and Aragorn's character arc - a brilliant observation about the price of power that many readers miss. The cost isn't just physical or magical, but can be deeply personal like losing the freedom to live as one chooses :-)
@@TheTaleTinkerer Thanx
Game of Thrones final season wasn’t the only fantasy series with the terrible ending. Once upon a Time season seven was an absolute mess. Alternate versions of character characters we already seen. The first half was a slow burn, while the latter went with neck breaking speed ending with a time loop and secret Disneyland in Maine.
Wow thanks for this. I mentioned this was one of my weakest points on one of your discussions, and lo and behold you make a video like this to help people like me.
I'm glad to hear it was helpful - I'm always trying to listen as much as possible :-)
I've known the ending of my story series for a long time. What I've been working on for years is how to bring the storyline to that ending in a satisfying (possibly cathartic) way.
Knowing the ending certainly is a good foundation. Any particular elements before that you are struggling with? :-)
Very good advice like always. Everyday the gears in my head spin faster because of you. Looking forward to your course next week 😎
Thank you, this means a lot to hear. Will keep doing my best to help others tell their stories 🙂
Please go easy on spoilers… I just began stormlight archive and the Wheel of Time and I now know about Kaladin’s dilemma and that Rand makes it to the last book :( It’s not the first time you spoil things from these books in your videos. At least warn your viewers, please
Noted, thank you for the feedback.
Relevant and Supportive Comment to feed the Algorangim
i can vouch for the news letter
its very clear and deep stuff and its all written down so i dont get to forget anything
dont miss on it people
Thank you for the kind words. Means a lot to hear people find the newsletter valuable 🙂
I always felt Neil gaiman was a good author that didn’t know how to end a novel. But then i noticed that trend in many authors with anticlimactic endings
I m not there yet but I m already thinking about the ending of by book Phoenix Protocol especially because I hope to make a series out of the world I m building. One thing is for certain though. The ending doesn’t tie up all plot points in the book.
For a series, keeping some threads open definitely makes sense, yeah 🙂
@ I ve teased for a void gate (my sci-fi method of faster then light travel) needing to be established as an overall objective but that won’t happen in the first book. I want to show some more noxar culture and the complex system that basically employs the sentry legion as a mix between coalition funded standing army/military and mercenary force. There’s a lot in my head to unpack and a college of mine also asked me how to adapt his story to fit into the universe since he wants to use the noxar species directly as well.
I like ending my worlds
That's one way to approach an ending :-D
Thanks for the advice! This was really helpful and reminded me of a lot of valuable stuff I need to keep in mind.
Also I’m replying here because I felt lead to share the gospel. Please consider the message I write.
To anyone reading this, There is a loving God who wants to know you and save you. Jesus died on the cross and resurrected so we can be forgiven of our sins and be saved. Repent and believe the Gospel! Please consider the state of your soul. Believe in Jesus, turn away from your sin and follow Him so you may have salvation. Life is short, please make the right choice today!