The best series have an ending

As I’ve been working on Angst 2, I’ve been thinking about how the series will wrap up. I believe the best series have endings. I have always thought that the best stories have an arc – one that was conceptualized before the first word was written. These stories lead you with a trail of breadcrumbs that wrap up nicely into a satisfying ending.

Harry Potter Had A Great Ending

I don’t think it was really a surprise to anyone how the Harry Potter series was going to end. The genius wasn’t the finish, it was getting there. We all know the bad guy is going to die, and the good guy is going to win.  Anything else would be a tough read, or hard to watch, and unfulfilling. The genius of Harry Potter isn’t only the amazing world that JK Rowling built, the depth of character, the descriptive prose, or the imagination she shared with us. There was also genius when it was announced that the series would be seven books long.

Star Trek

I’ve been a Star Trek fan all my life, but I think it’s always been a weak point that the original 5 year mission never had an ending. We’ve gotten some great stories out of Trek, but rarely have we gotten closure. I would have to say that The Next Generation episode “All Good Things…” would be the closest Trek has provided to closure of an episodical series. (Without really closing it.)

An Unclear Path

I loved the first season of Heroes. Things started falling apart during the second season, partially due to the writers’ strike. The series limped along with no end in sight, until I couldn’t stand watching it anymore. Even worse, I don’t want to go back and watch it again.

Angst 2

I spent a long time thinking of my first fantasy novel, Angst, and in spite of a few small cliffhangers, Angst can stand on its own. There doesn’t have to be a sequel, but, I love the characters. I love what the world could grow into.

Bigger Picture

It would be easy to make Angst 2 another episode, wait for everyone to tell me they love or hate it, and then maybe write another Angst episode. I think that’s a mistake. It’s both irresponsible entertainment, and could even be construed as bad writing. I can’t write a never-ending string of Angst books. I’d get burned out, everyone reading them would get sick of them, and I have other ideas that I want to explore.

Angst Will Have An Ending

I’ve given this a lot of thought. Angst 2 isn’t going to be the end, but I promise I do have an end in mind. If you like the world I’m creating, then I believe you’ll enjoy what I’m planning. There is going to be an end, I know what it is, and it’s going to be amazing.