Hello,
The end is near. I’ve wondered when the end would come. Would it be soon? Would it be later? Would it be…ever?
To explain, my current story, a western about a drifter finding his true calling and a new life away from his past, is almost finished. The ending of the story has been doing cartwheels around my head for years. I have played out every second of it and I’m finally close to the point where I can write it.
At times it has been tempting to rush through and skip past the important parts of the build-up to the end. Just write less in-depth chapters to get to the last one. But why do that? That won’t help me at all? I tried to convince myself to rush but I could not and it has definitely been the right thing to do. Even though I’ve wanted to get to this point for a long time, running through it instead of walking and enjoying the surroundings was not an option.
To stop myself from running, I took in my surroundings slowly by ensuring that each character was represented well enough in the beginning and middle so that they would have a part to play in the finale of the story instead of seeming like they just turned up. I hate movies and books that have some characters that don’t really have a place. If they weren’t there, who would care? Leaving the reader wondering why they should care about their fate. Currently, how big of a part each will play is not clear. In total, there will be around fifteen characters taking part in the gunfight/brawl/slugfest/carnage that will be the end of the story. Fifteen? Hmmm…that seems like a lot now I think about it. I have all of their names but they haven’t all come together in one scene yet. This should be fun.
I have always liked writing fight scenes. Like I said, it’s been on my mind for a long time and I know every gunshot, move, and quip that will go into it. This all leads me to a question…
Have you ever had to write a scene with a lot (say fifteen?) characters involved? If you have, how did it go and was it what you hoped it would be?
Right, best get back to it, have a nice week!
johnrsermon 
At this particular point in time the amount of characters you have is not relevant. I have read and watched heaps of Westerns. Their finales usually include “shoot outs” Different scenario same outcome. Entertaining but predictable. Recently watched a war film, content predictable, outcome unique. Point being I don’t as the consumer want to think about what’s going to happen next I want to be consumed by what I am reading/watching. Hope this makes sense and all my best wishes to you . Love Joan xxx
PS the film was “Hacksaw Ridge”
Thank you Joan. I have been thinking that the number of characters is not important but what happens to them. As you say, try to consume the reader with my story ending. I think I will aim to ensure each character is used well and not just have them hacked down in the shoot. I have ideas about how to make the shoot out interesting and less predictable. Thanks again for your help.
Also, Hacksaw Ridge looks really good. Might go and see it now. Cheers