Controversial Ending - Writers Forum

Gladiator_008 · 08-08-2004, 11:06 PM

I've been writing for a very, very long time now, and have spent two years on just one project that is a series of novels, and I have also written four screenplays and a television pilot. The thing is that now that I have come to the end of the novels, I'm wondering on whether or not a controversial ending would be good or not. The end is something that some people may be very upset with because of its religious roots, and may be a problem if I try to sell the series.

I'd like to hear some input on this. Thanks for your help.

Selorian · 08-09-2004, 12:02 AM

Hello Gladiator,

I would say that you should just go with your instinct on what is right for the novels. Maybe it is controversial but if it is the right ending for your story then publishers should see that. If nothing else you can write the ending as you want and then once submitted to the publishers change it if they show concern over it. Hope that this helps you some, really just my two cents though.

_

Chris · 08-09-2004, 02:08 AM

If it works for your story, is unexpected but inevitable, is emotionally satisfying and is just, plain, right ie nothing else could or should happen, then I say go for it. As long as it makes sense is not contraversal for the sake of being contraversal, you'd get more praise than criticism. Good luck.

- Chris

DawnMorningStar · 08-09-2004, 02:35 PM

I've discovered that despite the critics, controversy does sell. And personally, I think it's a great accomplishement when a piece of writing or a work of art invokes such strong reactions in people. It shows what an impact that creation has had on others, whether their reaction be positive or negative.

Gladiator_008 · 08-09-2004, 03:54 PM

That's what I was thinking. If it's controversial, it will most likely sell well. Like Passion of the Christ...it was one of the most controversial movies of all time, and people went to see it to find out why. Same with Fahrenheit 9/11. So I guess controversy sells.

DawnMorningStar · 08-09-2004, 07:40 PM

That it does. Because people either are curious to see what all the fuss is about (like you pointed out), or they want to have a reason to join in on the ridicule or anger toward the subject matter, or they want to support the creator of such a controversial subject, no matter if they decide they personally like it or not. But hey, in any case, you're getting your message out there. People are hearing it. And you're also making money.

Talia_Brie · 08-09-2004, 10:26 PM

You'd have to be very brave to try to submit a first novel that had a controversial ending - especially one that criticises, or questions the church. I'm definitely not saying that it shouldn't be done, just be careful.

The two films mentioned above? One was made by Mel Gibson, and the other by Michael Moore. Gibson is rich enough to not give a shit if people think he's controversial, and Moore is expected to be.

As a writer, and especially as a new writer, you are operating in a commercial environment, and you will probably need to take that into account.

Again, I'm definitely not saying don't do it, just pointing out that the book might be difficult to sell. I once wrote a story called Broken Windows, which was about a serial killer. I wrote the story about the same time a serial killer was stalking Perth, and my CW lecturer told me it would be difficult to get sold, and he was right. (P.S. it's on my website, but has never been published elsewhere.)

Gladiator_008 · 08-09-2004, 11:19 PM

It's the seventh book of seven. The ending can be connected to how Jesus was killed, which is probably the worst kind of controversy I could possibly get out of it all. I'm kind of making the main character like our Saviour and making it all a religious ending to a action/drama series. It's definitely an amazing ending and it's an ending that will always stick in people's minds.

Oh, and thank you all for your input. I appreciate it.