StandingWater Creations

I recall reading somewhere that the words, “The End,” when placed at the end of a movie denote that this is the end of this movie, but not the end of the story. How to ‘splain? Well, take the Star Wars travesty’s. Episodes IV, V, and VI complete a cycle. At the end of IV (commonly known to those who were around to see it originally as just Star Wars) you can place “The End” because the story continues in Episode V (commonly known as The Empire Strikes Back); and “The End” at the end of that Episode because the story completes (allegedly) in Episode VI (or, Return of the Jedi). You cannot, however, place “The End” at the end of Episode VI unless you plan to create more movies thereafter. The convention comes from the old serials days when the words were meant to inform the viewer that this portion of the story was over, please come again for the next installment.

Pretty neat, hunh?

Anyway, gotta say, “I’m in love,” and, “No!” it is not with myself (though there are arguments that can be posited for that as well). No, I am in love with Erin. Thought the world needed to hear that.

However, that ties in to this because, on occasion, she will make a statement, “The End,” and whatever we are conversing is done. We aren’t going to continue that conversation or line of thought at that moment. Papers receive the same treatment. It’s not rude, merely a statement that things have run their course for the moment and, in the future, at some point, maybe, we’ll pick them up again. The End. Seriously, a neat convention used to denote that the story or events aren’t over, merely this portion of them.

I was reading on Tim Pratt’s website a while back. Maybe a few weeks, last month (e.g. November, 2006) and his wife wrote, “The End,” at the end of one of his manuscripts that he’d finished a first draft run-through on and then printed out. The idea is that he is through with the hard part (maybe) and has rewriting, first readers, editing, and then shipping off to publisher (as he is writing on spec) to finish. “The End” in this case represents the end to one portion of a much greater story. It is applicable because, if you follow his website and updates, he is contracted to write multi-volumes in the series he’s working on. Granted, I am new to Tim Pratt’s writing and haven’t come across the short stories set in the world he’s writing in, but I like his style and what he brings to SciFi/Fantasy. I think he’s got something to say and “The End” merely implies that so does his wife (as first reader, editor, and supporter) as well as the publishing world in general.

“The End” does not denote an ending. Rather, it suggests to the reader that this is going to continue. It’s like carrying on a conversation with Erin. You can’t explore every idea you want to at one time. Start down a path and it has to end for a time because the mind (and possibly heart) needs time to catch up with the succession of thoughts and ideas that have been discussed. Asked: “How do you feel about…?” to me. I answered that it was a complicated matter and that I was not in a position to expand my thoughts without some preparation, time, and multiple sessions (face to face). That ended the dialogue. Unwritten, unspoken, “The End,” was a part of the conversation as my answer, at the time, was sufficient for whatever she was working through in her head. She expanded, back, a little, but “The End” came into play because neither (I’d surmise) was prepared to move forward.

Story is a notion of continuation. One example of this, I found it intentional, other’s think I was crazy, the author has said I am right, is Dune. The first book, Dune covers the initiation of a family on a world and the eventual acclimation of Paul Atreides, and his posterity, are destined to rule the universe. However, the first book, written about twenty years before the second or third, sets up a “The End” scenario where the story can continue. It probably does end that way, and the second and third installments are actually not so good, but need to be slogged through to get to where Frank Herbert actually starts writing well, again. The point, though, is that the author intended for a “The End” to the story only insofar as he was not done writing it. He died before he could finish his latest additions and it seems that one of his sons has taken up the mantle. I’ve not read any of the new novels. It would be like watching, and REALLY liking the prequel trilogy of Star Wars, unthinkable.

Anyway, “The End” isn’t an ending. It is merely a prelude to a continuation of what is already going on. George (Lucas) grew up watching serials. As a result of that he conceived of the Star Wars franchise, the Indiana Jones franchise, and helped produce the Back to the Future franchise. All movies that can (and in some cases do) end with “The End.” Wait until the next installment, you won’t be disappointed.

What all of this has to do with life, with me, is that I write. Some things are meant to be standalones. Others are literally, “The End,” waiting to happen. On a more personal note, conversations are often “The End”ed, sometimes without both parties realizing why or what is happening. This isn’t a bad thing. In writing you do it. Television does it (though they are not likely to use the words). It happens all the time. The End is a simple convention meant to add suspense, to announce that this part is over (of the conversation) and that you will have to wait for more. If you are savvy, waiting for more is a very good thing; if not, it can be frustrating.

As I said, I love Erin. People shouldn’t doubt that. When conversations end with “The End” it’s a promise to me that we will continue it later. As long as the promise is there we are doing well. If it ever disappears (and I guess it could regardless of where our relationship goes) then it is time to start worrying.

Just so you all can hear me say it: THE END.

More later.