As a writer and a reader, heck even as a human being, closure to me is more than important. It’s essential to survival.
Let me qualify that by saying, not physical survival as in to live, but definitely survival of our hearts, minds and souls.
Recently two people close to me, a friend and my sister, had to put their cats to sleep. A heart-wrenching, emotional decision that left them both sad. Each of these animals had cancer and treatments were attempted, yet they didn’t respond well. I cried with them and for them, but in the end, they said goodbye to their beloved kitties and had closure.
It reminded me of when I was an eight-year-old girl and suddenly my dog was gone. Now let me tell you, this dog was part of the family before me – she was already 12 when I was 8. Apparently she had kidney failure and my parents decided to take her to vet to be put to sleep.
Without telling me.
I was devastated, cried for days, angry and hurt. How could they do that? I know as parents we try to make the best decisions for our children, but this was 100% not right.
I expect closure. I need, crave, require closure. The same is true of the books I read and write. There needs to be a bow tied up nicely at the end. Don’t leave me with “life sucks, get over it” and move on. No, no, no.
Cannot stand it. I again get angry and frustrated and refuse to read that person’s books again. It’s true of many of the books I’ve read at my book club – some of them are absolutely devastating and there are those that do not give me that closure.
I just finished my third Brava book, the third and final in a series. I spent time really making that bow into a beautiful shiny ribbon at the end. There was closure – an HEA that made me cry (yes, I make myself cry *dork*) and smile.
That, ladies and gents, is closure. How about y’all? Anybody else who just cannot stand to leave anything hanging? Or am I the only anal closure freak out there?
You are not alone. When reading or in life, I have to have closure. One of our cats went missing 3 years ago. We searched for months in the neighborhood and the local shelters, made flyers and placed ads. I still keep one of those flyers on my storm door because I just can’t let go, I didn’t get to say goodbye.
The same in a book, I have to admit I feel that series are okay as long as the author gives a small taste of closure in each book and that the final book has every little thing wrapped up. *G*
I need closure too!! When I read I want books that don’t leave me hanging…….I need to know that everything is ok and that everyone will be fine!! I’m the same in real life as well……I hate being left to wonder!!!
You are definitely not alone. I need closure in what I read and in real life. There just needs to be something that tells me what has happened so that I can feel comfortable moving on. Because of that, I sometimes end up reading the last few pages of a book by a new author I’m thinking of trying when I’m at the book store.
Definitely NOT alone, Beth! I think it’s partly why I have such a hard time when I can’t find something–the world feels off kilter until I can figure out where it is. And I really need closure in books and in life–wrapping things up is important! As for a series, I agree with Brandy, but would still prefer to have the entire series in hand first because I like to KNOW everything’s going to be tied up nicely at the end! BTW, I think it’s amazing that you can move yourself! That’s a sign that it’s a good story!
I’m so glad to hear y’all say that. It’s good to have sisters in spirit!