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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How Should Christian Authors Portray Bittersweet Endings? 1 month, 3 weeks ago
I agree with you there. Dismal situations make hope shine all the brighter in stories.
Setting out to write a good ending, whether it be bittersweet or not, is a great place to start. 🙂 Thanks for reading!
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How Should Christian Authors Portray Bittersweet Endings? 1 month, 3 weeks ago
I know I had fun writing out my thoughts on this topic, and I’m so glad they resonated with you. Thanks for reading!
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How Should Christian Authors Portray Bittersweet Endings? 1 month, 3 weeks ago
Sad stories can be a drag if they don’t have anything meaningful to say. I don’t usually like sad stories myself, but sometimes the right one comes along and blows me away. Thanks for reading!
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How Should Christian Authors Portray Bittersweet Endings? 1 month, 3 weeks ago
Thanks Zachary! And thank you for taking the time to read them.
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How Should Christian Authors Portray Bittersweet Endings? 1 month, 3 weeks ago
I need to read A Tale of Two Cities. I’ve heard good things about it. Thanks for reading, Isabelle!
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Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post, How Should Christian Authors Portray Bittersweet Endings? 2 months, 1 week ago
Editor’s Note: This article is the final installment in our four-part series on how to balance darkness and hope in fiction. To learn why we did this series and how we approached the topics, read our i […]
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Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post, How to Create an Immersive Story World that’s More than Window Dressing 4 months, 1 week ago
Numerous books, blog posts, and worksheets claim that filling in hundreds of categories makes a story world complete. But without a goal at the center, your brainstorming will lack direction, and the details you […]
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, 3 Lies about Stylistic Editing (and Why They Hurt Your Writing) 6 months, 2 weeks ago
So do I! It’s so easy to try editing your story into perfect shape without thinking other factors. Thanks for reading, Lily!
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How to Write Happy Endings that Don’t Feel Contrived 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Thanks! I understand that. I love bittersweet stories, but sometimes I don’t want my books to be that sad.
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Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post, How to Write Happy Endings that Don’t Feel Contrived 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Happy endings resound with hope, reminding us of God’s ultimate triumph over evil. As we turn the last page, we feel homesick for the moment when He’ll wipe away all our tears and usher in the new heavens and new […]
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Thanks! I understand that. I love bittersweet stories, but sometimes I don’t want my books to be that sad.
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Thanks Gabrielle. I like stories that end with hope, but are also realistic and sometimes bittersweet.
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How to Evoke Humor, Tension, and Sorrow with Dramatic Irony 7 months ago
Thanks Eliza! 😀 This is one of my favorite concepts, and I had a blast geeking out over it.
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Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post, How to Evoke Humor, Tension, and Sorrow with Dramatic Irony 7 months, 1 week ago
Writers are lovers of drama. Hit us with a fast-paced shoot-out, a heart-rending rejection, or a tragic death scene, and we’re as happy as larks. Because conflict excites readers, we shove as much of it into our b […]
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Thanks Eliza! 😀 This is one of my favorite concepts, and I had a blast geeking out over it.
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, What The Promise of Jesse Woods Teaches Writers about Character Development 7 months, 3 weeks ago
You’ve got this, Olivia! It’s a lot of work, but it’s totally worth it. 🙂
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, What The Promise of Jesse Woods Teaches Writers about Character Development 7 months, 3 weeks ago
Awesome! I’m glad the article has given you some ideas. Making characters believable (and non-preachy) is a challenge, so I wish you the best of luck!
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Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post, What The Promise of Jesse Woods Teaches Writers about Character Development 7 months, 4 weeks ago
Editor’s Note: This is the second part of our series exploring the merits of The Promise of Jesse Woods by Chris Fabry. You can read the first installment here. Beware that this article and its companions will c […]
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That was a really good article! I’m an amateur at writing, and what you said here about not just proclaiming your character’s mistakes outright is wonderful advice!
Now I just have to put it into practice. *Shudders at the thought of all the work ahead* But I guess it must be done. *Sighs heavily*-
You’ve got this, Olivia! It’s a lot of work, but it’s totally worth it. 🙂
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Awesome! I’m glad the article has given you some ideas. Making characters believable (and non-preachy) is a challenge, so I wish you the best of luck!
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, To Be Feared 8 months ago
Thanks Ethan! The scheming writer side of me is glad the ending surprised you XD.
*high five to a fellow INFP writer/dark story reader*
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, Why Realistic Motives Alone Don’t Create Believable Villains 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Aw thanks! I’m glad you liked it. 🙂
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, Enliven Your Story’s Descriptions by Infusing Them with Character 8 months, 2 weeks ago
That’s awesome! I’m glad it helped you guys. 🙂
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How to Show Character Development in Fast-Paced Stories 8 months, 2 weeks ago
I’m so glad it helped!
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Gabrielle Pollack commented on the post, How to Show Character Development in Fast-Paced Stories 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Awesome! Thanks for reading. 🙂
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Sad ENDINGS. Sorry about that second sentence.The error makes it a bittersweet post for me.
Great article. I have always been disappointed in stories with bittersweet or sad stories, but the way you spelled it out made me appreciate those stories more. Well done!
Sad stories can be a drag if they don’t have anything meaningful to say. I don’t usually like sad stories myself, but sometimes the right one comes along and blows me away. Thanks for reading!
Thanks guys for this series! It’s been really thought-provoking. I’ve been thinking about ways an implicit Christian story can still point back towards God and glorify Him (especially when it’s ending is bittersweet). I think you best summed it up with this paragraph:
“However, simply pouring darkness into our fictional worlds won’t change how anyone lives in the real one…. But watching characters struggle is cathartic….once we see our flaws in vivid color, we have a shot at transformation.
This process is marked with the fingerprints of the gospel, for only by discovering our sins and fears can we recognize our need for a Savior whose resurrection offers forgiveness and peace.”
Thanks so much for this.
I know I had fun writing out my thoughts on this topic, and I’m so glad they resonated with you. Thanks for reading!
Good post, Gabby!
I think my favorite bittersweet endings are the Wingfeather Saga, Lord of the Rings, and Mrs. Frisbee and the Rats of NIHM.
Things don’t end well for the characters, but still, there’s an undeniable sense of hope. I think the hope is stronger for the pain it’s mixed with.
I don’t think I’ve ever thought directly about writing bittersweet endings, I just want to write good endings, be they bittersweet or not.
I agree with you there. Dismal situations make hope shine all the brighter in stories.
Setting out to write a good ending, whether it be bittersweet or not, is a great place to start. 🙂 Thanks for reading!
I need to read A Tale of Two Cities. I’ve heard good things about it. Thanks for reading, Isabelle!
Thanks Zachary! And thank you for taking the time to read them.