You must begin with the ending in mind?

Question

I have this quote running through my head "you must begin with the ending in mind." I know I read it somewhere years ago but I can't remember where or when. Before I dig through my library I wanted to see if someone can point me in the right direction. Thanks!

Answer 1

Whoever said it, I don't agree with it at all. When I start crafting a story, I begin with my character studies. It can take me weeks to really flesh out the main characters. Then I decide upon the conflict. Who the people are determines how that conflict is resolved. So until I really have my characters fleshed out, I cannot tell you what they are going to do.

Besides, I love that challenge of writing myself into a corner and wiggling out. It makes me feel alive. This may sound silly, but by then I usually know my characters so well that they actually "talk" to me and tell me what they would do.

To me, knowing the ending at the beginning is boring. I would rather work with my characters and develop their solutions. I am a character driven writer. For a plot driven writer, it is usually necessary to know the ending, but for a character driven writer, it is much easier to kind of fly on instruments and let things evolve. That is my technique and so far it isn't failing me.

I may have an idea of how I want people to end up, and sometimes about halfway through the ending starts to come to me, but I never really know it when I start a book. The more you know about your characters, the easier it is to let them come alive and act the story out for you like a movie. I suppose that is why I am always told that my writing is very cinematic.

Pax - C

Answer 2

Conceptually, this appears everywhere and in everything we do. For instance a contractor building a building, has blueprints that show what the building will look like BEFORE construction begins. A project manager on any project knows exactly what will be created before they begin. Most college students (at least the successful ones) have a sense of what they will become from their studies, and choose the curriculum that will get them there.

It's called visualization. The book the Secret (currently on the New York Times Best Seller List), calls it the Law of Attraction. Know what you want and you will attract it to you.

Answer 3

Well, I don't know who said it, but in my opinion that's stupid. Well, maybe not all the time, sometimes it may be useful, but when I write a story, I tend to just go with it, and just make it up as I go along. Occasionally I'll have an idea, but mostly I don't have an ending in mind. I find it a lot easier because then you have more to play with, but... it's up to you. If want an ending then have one, if not, then don't. Simple really. :D

Answer 4

A number of motivating writers or speakers coin this type of phrase, but, as I recall it, one that truly stands out in elaboratiing upon it, and developing the theme, is author-philosopher, Stephen Covey - particularly in his work: "7 Habits of Highly Effective People".

Answer 5

It is in "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People"
That's probably not where it originally came from. But this is a concrete source...

Answer 6

Why does it matter who said it? Who said to "show don't tell? Who cares, both are good advice for a writer.

BUT remember that even if you have the ending in mind, it just might change-- your characters will take on a life of their own, let them.

Answer 7

That is just a common phrase. I've read that in several books about writing (novels, screenwriting, etc.) You even hear that everywhere in college. I wouldn't attribute it to anyone in particular.

Answer 8

Stop thinking and start writing.

The art of writing is the art of revision.

Answer 9

COULD IT HAVE BEEN AYN RAND?