Typing “The End”…
by Susan Payne
So, when does a romance writer say ‘The End’? When do we feel our story is done and ready to be put into the hands of readers? For some of us the time is – never. For others as soon as the couple pledges their love to one another and there is that, aha, kiss sealing the deal.
That may have worked in the past, but todays romance reader is a little more skeptical. Perhaps because they haven’t found that ‘true love’ themselves or have seen ‘true love’ fall apart after the first big conflict come into their lives. When fifty percent of marriages fail these days, I can understand their skepticism.
One reason I love marriage of convenience pre1850 is that it meant till death do you part. Divorces were rare especially in England. Once those words were spoken, you were stuck with your spouse through better or worse. I have to think the worse could be pretty bad although the aristocracy seemed to have come to a semblance of convenient thinking. After the wife had produced an heir or two, she could discretely seek a comforter who was free to do the same. Not exactly a marriage made in heaven, but close to as happy as they were going to find themselves. The lower classes merely walked away from one another and began living with someone else.
I have always tried to show why my couples will remain with one another…even if its through plain tenaciousness. Like when you’re told you can’t do something so you go ahead and do it just to prove you can. They often have troubles and trials which they need to over-come. I find it better if they learn to over-come these things together. One holding the other up during the most trying of times. Possibly when they are at their most vulnerable.
Although they are unpopular with publishers, I often include an epilog. A brief glimpse into the couple’s future as they are surrounded by children, even grand-children and still as in love as they were when the story ‘ended’.
In case you are of the mindset there is no longer romance in the world, I will relate a true story. Out of a high-school class of 100, twelve married one another. Out of the 76 left, fifteen married the date they took to the prom (meaning high-school sweethearts although they were told such relationships were doomed to fail). Of those marriages, only death separated them or they are still together after 54 years. We all faced the odds that our marriages, that our love would not last – and we have flourished. We are not exceptional people so I must believe in the fact it can be done. Please believe in love and let it find you or if it has, let it thrive.
There’s no need to write ‘the end’ when it never occurred.
Order now on Amazon.
How to Return a Mail Order Bride by Susan Payne explains what happens to a woman abandoned by her betrothed after travelling half-way across the nation to wed him. Sheriff Zeke Layton takes on the job of seeing her safely home – only home isn’t where he thinks it is.
I will have another historical western, The Texas Ranger and the Veterinarian, to be released in March, 2021. Stop by my Amazon page
Follow Susan…