Hello and welcome to my final end-of-month newsletter of 2025!
You can read last month’s newsletter here.
Following the very loose pattern I decided to set, these posts are a chance for me to update you on my writing projects and write a few words about something to do with stories.
This month, I want to talk about satisfying endings.
I can’t imagine there are many people who don’t appreciate a satisfying ending to a story, but maybe I’m wrong. After all, satisfying endings are rather subjective. Two people can read the same book and have different reactions to the ending. One can walk away disgusted and the other can’t stop thinking about how the story ended.
So, here’s what I mean by a satisfying ending in a totally objective way: Not all of the conflict in the story (or series) has to be resolved, but the major issues should be settled.
I think this is especially true for stories that are either standalone or the conclusion to a series. If there’s more story to be told, certain plot points and conflicts can (and should) remain. Otherwise, why would the reader feel the need to continue the series?
But if the story is coming to a close, the major conflicts that were foundational to the protagonist’s journey should be dealt with in some way, shape, or form. In other words, if the hero sets out to destroy a magic ring at the story’s start and by the end still hasn’t destroyed it (or done anything with it, for that matter), that ending won’t satisfy readers—at least, not this one.
All that to say, I appreciate stories with satisfying endings. How about you?
Here’s a quick breakdown of my December:
The Knight Who Remembered is now available! The third and final book in The Tale of Rose and Ed is out, so if you’re the sort of reader who waits to start a series until they’re all out, have at it! 😊 You can check out all three books in this trilogy for middle school age kids and up here:
On a related note, I recently set up a book review request page on my website. If you’ve read any of my books and would be willing to leave a rating and review, I’d greatly appreciate you! I think reviews are some of the best ways for readers to consider trying a new book and author, so if you’d help me out in that way, you’d earn my undying gratitude and thanks. Click here to leave a review.
I posted the final short story in the Tales of Minz: Fictions and Fables collection. You can read all twelve of them here. I plan to continue dabbling in short stories and flash fiction in the new year as well—perhaps even on a more regular basis than once a month. Some might be set in the world of Minz; others will undoubtedly take place elsewhere.
Edits on the fourth book in the Tales of Minz, A Gardener’s Tale, are finished! I’ve gone through the proof copy and checked for final pesky errors and typos, and I’m in a good spot for releasing this book in early to mid-February.
For other project-related updates and things to look for in the new year, check out my special “Ebenezer Post” for 2025!
What else?
I’m getting back into reading some great books of all genres and writing some Book Appreciation Posts, which you can find on The Reading Corner. Keep an eye out for those on the blog going forward.
As a final note, these end-of-month newsletter posts will look a little different in the new year. I figured a post on satisfying endings was hopefully a good way to wrap up this format and get ready to usher in something new.
What will it look like?
At the end of every month, email subscribers will receive a newsletter from me that contains an overview and links to the month’s short story(s), book appreciation posts, a brief writing update, and a featured book highlighted.
All subscribers will still be able to access these various pieces of content on the website throughout the month, but email subscribers will get them delivered right to their inbox in one convenient newsletter from yours truly. Not subscribed via email? Click here or fill in the form at the bottom of this page to join my mailing list. 👇
Until next time, Happy New Year, and I hope whatever books you’re reading have satisfying endings. Thanks for joining me here in 2025, I hope to see you again in 2026! 😊
Al
