Tom

Hey.

I've come up with a good idea which relates to historical/Religious events in time. The only thing revealed however is how it ends, and the story of why, how and who is lost. I however have come up with a story to replace the lost bits and create a message. But, if people know how it's going to end, will I still have people who want to read it?

Tom.

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ActivateMyAccount

IMHO, a story is as much about the destination as it is the journey leading to it. A lot happens between point A and point B, and the task of the writer is to thoroughly and emotionally explain it.

tehuti88

There are all sorts of books and movies based on historic and religious events. Most people know how these things end before they read or see them. The books and movies in question can still be immensely popular. Even if people know the ending, as long as somebody does a good and interesting job of telling the story, they'll still check it out.

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"No canoes...no maple sugar...this place is horribly uncivilized."--Manabozho

Writer of long online fantasy/mythology serials. Always looking for interested readers.

lin

Not a whole lot of suspense in the theater to see if the Titanic would somehow not go down, for instance.

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lilacstarflower

Yes - people will still read it.

Most people know the story of Henry VIII and his six wives and roughly how they all died but Phillipa Gregory managed to write two best sellers of this story and created something of her own to fill in the gaps

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Tom

Well, the ending is the only thing that is known and referenced. But I feel that readers will get bored, however the saying it's not the destination it's the journey comes into play here I guess.

Thanks for the advice, however Lin, your post confused me a little. I'm not changing the ending, I'm simply filling in the beginning and the middle.

Tom.

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ActivateMyAccount

lin was saying (I believe), that people went to see Titanic regardless of their knowledge of the ending.

Tom

Ah, I see.

Thanks ActivateMyAccount,
Thanks Lin,

Tom.

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HarryG

In reality, don't we know the ending of most stories? The variance is usually in the body of the story, even if love triumphs more often than not, and villains get sent down, eventually.

lin

Not if there's a Twist Ending. Or just creative storytelling.

Two examples from recent films: Little Miss Sunshine and Juno. Both of them defy hackneyed endings or resolutions.

Another, No Country for Old Men... the main guy, who we're following and rooting for get's pointlessly, ignominiously, offhandedly dead.

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