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I'm soliciting opinions: Jack, you, and I think, Mary Ann and Sylvia have read my story, "A Place of Belonging" - - I know the Epilogue was an attempt at a "feel-good" ending, but I'm wondering if you think the book would lose any of its impact were I to leave off the Epilogue. Also I'm thinking of changing the title, which I've never liked. My working title during the writing process was "The Good Road." Do any of you think that would be an appropriate title?
The Epilogue ties up loose ends and continues Banks' habit of helping and/or rescuing women and girls, but I'm thinking it shouldn't be tied up so neatly. The working title emphasizes the road trip, which takes up about half the book, and serves as a metaphor for Banks, Ginger, and Mattie and their attempts to make something good of their difficult lives. But I'm undecided on whether that reference would properly encapsulate the book - - or does it matter?
Anyway, those are my thoughts as I re-write. Comments?
Bob,
ReplyDeleteI'll have to think about it. And I need to go back and look at it again. Trouble is, I loaned the book to somebody and never got it back, so I don't have a copy. Just from memory (and I'm getting old and pretty unreliable) the thing I liked (and remember) about the ending was Banks coming back to Mattie. And that mattered a great deal to me--that he came back to her. I thought the title referred to Mattie and her love for Banks (and her place of belonging--in his life) as much as it did about Banks and Ginger's road trip. But, lordy, it's been a while, and I've read a ton of books since then and I'm afraid I'm not much help. If I can locate the book, I'll do a refresher read and get back to you. By the way, for what it's worth, I wouldn't change the tile but I would change the cover. It is, after all. a love/mystery story and not a travelogue ;-)
Jack and Mary Ann - both good reflections - thanks a bunch. You both have similar comments, that Banks' story (it really is his story) - including his ramblings - have him directed back to Clarkesville, and Mattie.
ReplyDeleteI'll give the title some more thought, and I believe I'll keep the Epilogue - but shorten it to include only the part in which Mattie and Banks adopt the girl.
Jack, the metaphor is there, but I'm slowly coming around to the point that writers' primary responsibility is to the story. Leave the deeper meanings and mining of metaphors to reviewers. I'll maybe talk a bit about that at the Symposium.
Mary Ann, I agree about the cover - I just have to find the right photo or image.
Thanks again, folks!
I'll check it out - thanks!
ReplyDeleteWell, I've kept meaning to check out the blog but didn't take the time and I see I've missed something! I have to agree with most of Jack and Mary Ann's points. Cover change-yes, but not the title. Although it sort of suits the time frame of the story I think there's a better cover out there. And I, too, came away with the feeling the story was about Bank's search for a 'place of belonging'. And Ginger's just sort of merged into his search. I'm a little ambivalent about the epilogue. I do like things wrapped up but it could be shortened to advantage perhaps. I'm up late with this rambling reply so feel free to disregard!
ReplyDeleteI'm hot and cold about the epilogue myself. Thanks for the comments, Sylvia.
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