We all want to write the books where the hero or heroin rides off into the sunset with the man/women of their dreams. Or where the lost is found, the broken is fixed...ect...ect, the list is never ending. Everyone loves a happy ending.
But in non-fiction, sometimes there is no happy ending, no silver lining in the storm cloud. Just darkness with the chance for hope sprinkled here and there. The writer has to be able to express the stories worst aspects, sometimes even, in a graphic way, and balance on a fine line between: giving enough information to let the reader illustrate the scene in their head and not enough to make them put the book down because it is too overwhelming.
So fine line, yet, more like an almost invisible line. Showing the damage and destruction without compelling the reader to shut down, close the book, and vow to never return. Instead we need to evoke strong emotions, fear, hurt, despair, even hopelessness at times, but let just enough life
Regardless of how the story ends, the story itself is what is important....but I do love a happy ending, especially for those lost.
ReplyDeleteAlways remember that we can find the lost in our hearts, no matter the outcome.
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