The End. It's just another word for the place where the next story starts

Welcome back to another blog hop, with #OpenBook. Here’s this week’s prompt.

Don’t forget to click the link to see what everyone else has to say on this week’s subject. It’s at the end of my post.

From your story’s point of view, how does it feel when you, the author, writes “The End?”

When I write The End, it’s because the characters have told me to. Because I’m what’s known as a pantser, I never really know for sure where that point is or when it’s been reached.

Whoever is narrating the story in my head decides that we’ve reached a convenient stopping place in the tale.

One thing is for certain: it’s seldom the end of the story. There’s always more to be told.

I discovered that fact very early in my writing journey. My characters lead interesting lives. Their adventures continue, very often in the same scene, even in the middle of a conversation. It may well be that a plot has been resolved, a murderer has been found, a situation has been explained, but, as in life, things never stop still.

A happy (or unhappy) ending is only a temporary state of affairs.

If I hadn’t been told, I might not have realised that an ending had happened. To me, hearing the story for the first time, it’s just another pause in the action. But, as a dutiful recipient of the information, I do what I’m told and type The End.

Then, the narrator carries on. That situation is settled; now a new one presents itself for my characters to deal with. It may have nothing at all to do with what’s just happened, or it could be based on it.

So, the whole thing starts again. And, almost before you know it, you have a sequel, or even a series.

What do you think about this week’s subject?

Let me know by leaving me a comment.

While you’re here, please click the InLinkz link to check out what my fellow writers have to say about this week’s topic.

OpenBook Bloghop. April 13th, 2026.

From your story’s point of view, how does it feel when you, the author writes “The End?”

I’ll be back with another post on Thursday. See you then. Meanwhile, have a great week.

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