I think I’ve noticed a problem with the fourth book and I can’t find a way to fix it. The big action plots end and get closure on chapter 15, but there are still 4 chapters to go. There are the character development plots that still have to get closure, the return of a character, the introduction of a new hero, and the ending needed to kick book 5 off with a massive bang.
I keep feeling like a reader can see this as being drawn out too much, especially if they’re only interested in the action parts. Yes, the villains have been thwarted, but even the storyline that the book is named after hasn’t completed yet. So, I’m torn on what to do here. The chapters that take place building up to the book 5 events are solid and continue the character plots, but it does feel like I made an ending before the real ending. I did try to condense events where I could, so it could have been worse.
Is it really wrong to end the action-based plots and continue the story for a few chapters for the character-driven plots? Then again, I was scared about doing this in the third book and it still worked out. I focus on character development, so it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that a few books will have a milder winding down sequence. I guess I just don’t always know what a good ending is.
If it helps, I need this book to end with one of the heroes losing his/her temper and charging off into the night for battle. There’s only going to be hours between the end of this book and the beginning of the next. I wanted that level of excitement to carry over, which is why I don’t think I should move these chapters to book 5.
Legends of Windemere 
Can you do a false ending? Like where they think they’ve triumphed completely, but not quite. Maybe the villain poisoned someone, or got their last digs in before they died and that has to be resolved? I also think maybe weaving in a subplot that happens well before the big ending but that would need wrapping up after. Something like that. Good luck. It’s a risk to go too far after the big baddy has been taken care of, but we writers love our challenges. 😉
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There is a ‘poison’ in the group that causes the big ending and there is also a subplot, which is driving the remaining chapters. I’m trying to make it feel like they are chasing a loose end that got away and can be easily fixed, but it turns more into a bigger mess than they expected. I can refine it using your suggestions. Thanks.
I kind of feel sorry for a main character who gets introduced in these chapters, but I actually have a later plotline where he doesn’t think he’s as important as the other heroes. So, I figure this fits.
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I often have problems ending my books (as you know) and they either end abruptly or so slowly that I’m afraid my readers will lose interest. But I really don’t think it is wrong to have the last few chapters tie up loose ends elsewhere while putting the excitement on a backburner. I think that will only build up interest and anticipation for the release of the next book. I’ve read books where it ends so abruptly with the plot up in the air and have enjoyed them, but not nearly as much as I enjoy books that end with everything under control, like Beginning of a Hero.
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Thanks. Beginning of a Hero definitely has a clean ending and the third one does too. That might be part of the confusion for me. Those books have action and then one more chapter to tie things up. The third and fourth are more subplot and character development heavy because I’m cleaning up things before the BIG plot kicks off in the 5th book.
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Cool! I’ll be excited to read it, as well as books 2, 3, and 4! lol And good luck, I know you’ll figure something out!
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Thanks. I’m slowly refining the chapters right now, so it won’t be as bad as I feared.
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I have no idea what to say to help you. Except to encourage you. You’ve figured out how to get this far, inspiration will happen.
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Thanks. Fingers crossed. 🙂
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