Student: I am almost finished with my first novel. I just don’t know how to end it yet. Can you give me tips on how to do it?
Me: Your genre?
Student: Romance.
Me: Ooooh. In your outline, how did you end your story?
Student: Outline? Do I need an outline to write a story?
Me: Well, beginning writers, including me, always need one so we don’t get lost along the way.
Student: But I read an author who said a good story writes itself—no outline necessary.
Me: Well, there are no absolutes in creative writing. For instance, if your novel is a deep character portrait, where the narrative is driven by psychological and emotional forces rather than events, then you only need to jot down their character traits—so you know how they react to a situation. However, if your story is plot-oriented, then an outline clearly shows you where the conflicts are, big or small—and how they are resolved in the end, like putting together a puzzle.
Student: (Furrowing her brows) Mmmm . . .
Me: So is your novel character heavy or plot heavy?
Student: A little bit of both.
Me. Hmmm, it’s difficult to straddle in between. Your reader might get confused. Make a decision where you want to go, then rewrite to arrive at an ending—traditionally, where you resolve the conflict.
Student: Conflict?
Me: Yup, the struggle between opposing forces. Usually, the main character struggles against a force, internal or external. You know of course that conflict is what drives a story. Without it, your story would have no point.
Student: (Murmuring) Conflict . . .
Me: (Teasing) Your two minutes are up!
Student: Oh, yes, of course. Thank you, Ms. Grace!
Me: Anytime.
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