Alternate ending

Discuss the October 2016 Book of the Month, Unspeakable Acts by Janet Leigh Green.
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gali
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Re: Alternate ending

Post by gali »

Scott wrote:As a reader, part of the struggle to appreciate the alternate ending is it comes so quick. I didn't realize the epilogue was over until I flipped the page and saw the words alternate ending. I started reading then, so it takes away from the closure. Perhaps a better way would be to publish the alternate ending online and include a short note in the 'after matter' about it being available online. That way it would be more separate.
I agree. A great idea about publishing the alternate ending online!
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Post by Scott »

I'm having trouble even remembering the differences between the endings. I do remember that it seemed like most of the text was verbatim the same. I recall Charlie being put on the table in one but not the other (I think).

What were the significant differences between the endings?


---
Lauren M wrote:
Scott wrote:As a reader, part of the struggle to appreciate the alternate ending is it comes so quick. I didn't realize the epilogue was over until I flipped the page and saw the words alternate ending. I started reading then, so it takes away from the closure. Perhaps a better way would be to publish the alternate ending online and include a short note in the 'after matter' about it being available online. That way it would be more separate.
I was thinking the same thing. Like on a bluray/dvd. They sometimes have alternate endings in the bonus content section. When you flip to it, its like "Oh neat." However, if movies ended and before the roll credits scene it went straight to the alternate ending, most movie goers would be "Eh,"
Yes, exactly! :D
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Post by Ellie Gatillo »

I actually liked the alternate ending. I think there was more suspense in it than the original ending. My only disappointment is that it basically just had the same ending as that of the first. I thought Martha and Asa would get their hands on Charlie and everyone would be dead (or something like that) but only some of the scenes leading to the ending were changed. I didn't actually get an alternate ending. I got alternate scenes.
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Post by Janetleighgreen »

ellieonline03 wrote:I actually liked the alternate ending. I think there was more suspense in it than the original ending. My only disappointment is that it basically just had the same ending as that of the first. I thought Martha and Asa would get their hands on Charlie and everyone would be dead (or something like that) but only some of the scenes leading to the ending were changed. I didn't actually get an alternate ending. I got alternate scenes.
Yeah, that was a definite miss. I'm taking care of that in the re-edit. ?
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Post by MrsCatInTheHat »

I thought the alternate was weird, just didn't belong. The first ending works better. The alternate is simply not necessary.
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Post by Kia »

I think that the alternate ending had potential, but when Charlie ended up on the table I was hoping for it to be a little bit more dramatic than her friends just cutting her free. Insert epic battle scene where her friends are battling ghosts while Charlie gets a little cut up by Martha? Otherwise it doesn't make much sense to have it.
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Post by Michelle92 »

I really agree. For me there were no gigantic changes. So at the end it was unnecessary to include it. Just a thought.
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Post by Heidi M Simone »

Janetleighgreen wrote:
Shelle wrote:
Janetleighgreen wrote:
I had different opinions on this when going through the editing process. I like the alternate ending the best and so did one of my betas. The other beta liked the original ending as did the editor. I thought I would try being innovative and do an alternate ending, but it hasn't gone over well. I'm correcting that in the second edit.
It's neat to see how you (the author) has taken feedback and applied it to your work. I think fans can
often view their favorite writers as these infallible professionals who are too good and too perfect to take notes from their readers. While I don't think it's wise to pander to the lowest common denominator (not what I feel you're doing at all) taking an honest look at something and reflecting how to improve it shows maturity and a willingness to grow.
Thank you so much! I want to be a better writer and my job is to make readers want to read my books. I will always listen and take some and leave some and as you said, no pandering. Lol!

-- 03 Oct 2016, 12:42 --

Thank you as well KBradley!!!
I am unsure what else to add to this post since everyone has said what I have been thinking. However, I do want to reiterate how wonderful the author been to the comments made about her book. :)
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Post by greenstripedgiraffe »

I agree with many in here; the alternate ending wasn't worth the read, really.
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Post by Cjgarland89 »

The alternate ending was redundant and unnecessary as well. It was frustrating after enjoying the first ending to read the alternate expecting different and not getting it. Alternate endings in general frustrate me, if you commit to one ending, please stick with it. This is true for both books and movies.
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Post by James Craft »

I agree with Scott from above: the alternate ending should have been separated farther so that it didn't detract from the closure of the book. Moreover, it could have been a great call-to-action to entice readers to follow the author outside of the book.
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Post by Janetleighgreen »

James Craft wrote:I agree with Scott from above: the alternate ending should have been separated farther so that it didn't detract from the closure of the book. Moreover, it could have been a great call-to-action to entice readers to follow the author outside of the book.
Thanks for the feedback. I'm in the process of a rewrite and re-edit, so I'll probably pick an ending and go with it, that was a bad idea. Haha.
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Post by Moneybag »

To me alternate ending was really not necessary.
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Post by Micheal Ukewuihe »

The original ending was quite fun and a good way to end things. The altering ending on the other had did add a few more details and facts that could be helpful but it still has a lot of similarities to the original ending and I think alternate ending should not be similar stories.
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