So, you're a writer?
Yes I am.
And what are you writing about?
A story.
What's it about?
It's about this lonely guy. He doesn't know what to do with his life.
Why is he lonely?
Um, I don't know. I guess he just doesn't have anyone to talk to.
Then why doesn't he go out? Call his friends? His family?
His friends are too busy, and so are his family.
Then why doesn't he try to meet other people?
That's risky. It doesn't guarantee anything.
But if he never tries he'll never be, um, not lonely.
Yeah, I guess so.
And then what?
And then what what?
And then what happens to him? Does he die alone?
No, that would be too sad. I hate sad endings.
But sad endings happen all the time. And besides, with your character, I doubt he'll have a happy ending.
I'm thinking of two possible endings actually. One is, he'll finally take the courage to go out and meet new people. It's open ended, but it's gonna leave the reader curious as to what happened to him.
And the other one?
He finally decides that being alone is not that bad after all. And he becomes happy being alone.
And that's supposed to be…?
A happy ending.
Happy ending? I doubt your readers will feel that way.
Why not? The character becomes happy. That's what makes a happy ending right?
I don't know…it would still feel…lonely, I guess.
Well, what do you suggest for an ending?
He meets someone, who's also alone like him.
That's just a bad ending. Many other stories end that way.
But have you ever asked why many stories end that way?
Why?
Because it's a cute ending. And it gives hope, especially to all the other lonely guys out there.
But it's not…realistic. I don't want my story to give false hope.
Why not? In this goddamned world of chaos and sadness, you'll need every kind of hope there is, even false ones.
You know, I'm really happy I have someone to talk to about this. It's really great.
Great? Great that you're not alone, that you're not like the lonely guy in your story. You're selfish, dude. Give him someone.
No, I'm not selfish, at least not in that way.
I know. You're just scared, scared that you're the only lonely person in the world. So you make up a story about a lonely guy, to make yourself feel better.
I guess you're right.
So, what do you do now?
I…I…I don't know. I guess…I guess I'm just gonna sit here for a while and think about my story.
Stand up.
...
Stand up.
...
Stand up, and walk out of that door! It's the least you can do for your readers. Give them an open-ended story, a possibility for a happy ending.
The writer sat for a long time, and thought. Then, he stood up, and went to the door. He turned the knob and pulled the door open, putting down the barrier he has kept up for so long.
Please review. Thanks! :D
