tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post4670503253872907939..comments2024-03-27T03:14:07.652-04:00Comments on Seekerville: The Journey Continues: Raising the Bar on Happily Ever AfterMissy Tippenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480008023330542958noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-35080863982152960952020-09-25T18:34:23.119-04:002020-09-25T18:34:23.119-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08051332617580716186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-36881814307432833332020-09-17T16:01:57.611-04:002020-09-17T16:01:57.611-04:00A "grand gesture" is a lovely concept, M...A "grand gesture" is a lovely concept, Missy, that takes the ending to another level! Thanks for sharing! Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-70964270574554038442020-09-17T16:00:34.828-04:002020-09-17T16:00:34.828-04:00A great point, Lee-Ann. Some authors always provid...A great point, Lee-Ann. Some authors always provide that "Aww" Ending that remains long after I close the book.Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-45293639663265334712020-09-17T14:26:18.111-04:002020-09-17T14:26:18.111-04:00Debby, I don't think I've read anything th...Debby, I don't think I've read anything that would be classified as romantic suspense. Any recommendations? :-)Rachel Herodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00590539374890710305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-73783508530427378452020-09-17T12:22:04.316-04:002020-09-17T12:22:04.316-04:00Yeah, Lucy. I've also heard the term "sat...Yeah, Lucy. I've also heard the term "satisfying ending." And also have heard of stories endings that are "happy for now."Missy Tippenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05480008023330542958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-5672747868944717492020-09-17T12:20:36.111-04:002020-09-17T12:20:36.111-04:00Debby, I just realized I never commented yesterday...Debby, I just realized I never commented yesterday! I came, read the post, then went off to post about it to FB and Twitter. Then forgot to return. :)<br /><br />Great post! I love when there's a grand gesture at the end to prove the character has changed and wants to win over the hero/heroine and prove their love and commitment. It always makes books memorable!Missy Tippenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05480008023330542958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-39797177504935827182020-09-16T23:34:58.870-04:002020-09-16T23:34:58.870-04:00I don't think of one story in particular that ...I don't think of one story in particular that resonates with me, but I can think of authors I can count on for those feel good endings. Thanks for posting Debby!Lee-Ann Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16757223217376371793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-51976548759277820762020-09-16T21:04:50.075-04:002020-09-16T21:04:50.075-04:00You're in the drawing, Lucy!
You're right...You're in the drawing, Lucy!<br /><br />You're right, not all books end with a HEA! I do want an up beat at the end of a story and for good to triumph over evil. Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-68148845648340913722020-09-16T21:03:08.805-04:002020-09-16T21:03:08.805-04:00I'm eager for new Hallmark movies! :)
You'...I'm eager for new Hallmark movies! :)<br /><br />You're in the drawing, Sandy! Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-18969758578317941382020-09-16T20:54:10.019-04:002020-09-16T20:54:10.019-04:00HEA are nice but not always reality, so I enjoy al...HEA are nice but not always reality, so I enjoy alternative endings. I would love to read your a Christmas book. Congratulations 🎈 Lucy Reynolds https://www.blogger.com/profile/14634010131101221224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-25885735961685778052020-09-16T19:47:39.615-04:002020-09-16T19:47:39.615-04:00Great post, Debby. I love happy ending stories. Th...Great post, Debby. I love happy ending stories. That is probably why I love Hallmark movies. We always know the two will get together in the end but it is fun to figure out how it will happen. Good reminder to include sacrificial love in our stories. Please put me in the drawing for your book!Sandy Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11920692341258066387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-3589435885961662542020-09-16T16:12:46.881-04:002020-09-16T16:12:46.881-04:00Thanks for sharing, Tanya! Yes, those HEAs are nee...Thanks for sharing, Tanya! Yes, those HEAs are needed at times. I'm sure lots of readers have been uplifted during this pandemic through the stories they've read...especially wonderful romance stories that end with a HEA!Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-9616966321288833002020-09-16T15:41:51.342-04:002020-09-16T15:41:51.342-04:00Hi, Debby! Thanks for the posts about HEAs and the...Hi, Debby! Thanks for the posts about HEAs and the importance of a story with an HEA. Sometimes it's not the book itself that's memorable but the circumstances. When my daughter who has VHL had to have an MRI and I was allowed in the room with her, I chose to bring a romance novel into the area (paper books don't have metal so the nurse allowed it!). Why? The happy ending was what I needed at that time. That always stayed with me because so many people need something happy and joyful at a time that's hard. And there have been so many characters that have resonated with me over the years of reading romance. Thanks, Debby! Hope you have a great day.Tanya A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05906658024486668684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-12647021416368942472020-09-16T14:10:23.726-04:002020-09-16T14:10:23.726-04:00Hi Debby:
It's not so much the sameness of pl...Hi Debby:<br /><br />It's not so much the sameness of plots. There are not that many different plots in any event. What I like to see is inspired creativity in overcoming typical conflicts in a romance. <br /><br />In a mystery, a lot of the fun is figuring out who did it before the end. If you avoid the red herrings and catch the well disguised clues and solve the mystery before the story gives it away, you WIN! You beat the author!<br /><br />In a romance, the 'mystery' problem is trying to solve how the hero and heroine will overcome their conflict(s). This is why multiple streams of conflict is so channeling and so much fun to solve before the story reveals it. Ruth had a story which had eleven streams of conflict keeping the hero and heroine apart. I listed these in a review once! That's like telling a beginner to climb Mt. Everest. Then there's Julie's "Emma" story which she said God inspired her how to solve the conflict. Really. Julie said she had to pray for a way to solve the conflict!<br /><br />That's what I really enjoy. A conflict which seems intractable. Stump the reader. Then have a solution so belieable that the reader wants to kick himself for not figuring it out sooner. A BIG WIN for the author and a sure sale for the next book.<br /><br />Advice: always be looking for unique ways to solve conflicts. Real couples have real conflicts and your fiction solution may actually work for them! <br /><br />BTW: prayer work. Just ask Julie. :) <br />Vincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12707773426729777989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-40850288645169773612020-09-16T13:28:59.612-04:002020-09-16T13:28:59.612-04:00Redeeming Love is an amazing book. I still remembe...Redeeming Love is an amazing book. I still remember that ending, and I loved the characters. <br /><br />I need to review JSB's Plot and Structure and look up the knockout you mentioned. He's a great writing coach!<br /><br />I agree with you, Sarah, the characters make or break a book. Do we relate to them, do we want to take that journey with them through the story, do we cheer for them and cry for them and rejoice with them at the end? If we do, then the story is a winner in my opinion!Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-25443554113885183772020-09-16T13:15:18.864-04:002020-09-16T13:15:18.864-04:00I'm reading Plot and Structure by James Scott ...I'm reading Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell right now, and this post reminds me of how he talks about the "knockout." Usually readers won't be satisfied unless the obstacles are completely knocked out at the end.<br />The main thing that I remember when I finish a story is the characters. If I don't care about them, then their happily after doesn't matter to me. One that I still think about years after reading it is Redeeming Love.Sarah Crouchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13424657447144707381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-39067718741379962952020-09-16T13:13:13.279-04:002020-09-16T13:13:13.279-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Sarah Crouchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13424657447144707381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-19911576744722225292020-09-16T11:51:29.723-04:002020-09-16T11:51:29.723-04:00So true, Jan. I don't enjoy reading tragedies,...So true, Jan. I don't enjoy reading tragedies, which is perhaps why I don't often read literary work. I want the stories I read to end on an upbeat note at the minimum. Good should triumph over evil, and if it's a romance, I want that happily ever after. Years ago, I read a story that had a bad guy/criminal type as the protagonist. I kept waiting for him to be redeemed, but it never happened. He died tragically, and the author even alluded to him going to Hell. YIKES! I was disappointed in the story and in the author. I've never forgotten that story and how frustrated I was with the tragic ending. Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-41310335979530186342020-09-16T11:40:46.861-04:002020-09-16T11:40:46.861-04:00Thank you, Jackie, on all counts! Blessings to you...Thank you, Jackie, on all counts! Blessings to you, dear friend!Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-57783105662727186692020-09-16T11:40:10.860-04:002020-09-16T11:40:10.860-04:00So glad the blog was meaningful. I'm brainstor...So glad the blog was meaningful. I'm brainstorming a new story too. Let's pray for one another so our stories and our Happily Ever Afters resonate with editors and readers alike! Hugs! :)Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-20665227332333271992020-09-16T11:35:23.132-04:002020-09-16T11:35:23.132-04:00You've nailed that sacrificial love with Pace ...You've nailed that sacrificial love with Pace and Oona's relationship! Way to go, Kaybee! Beautiful. <br /><br />You're a busy lady and very prolific. Congrats! Wishing you continued success!!!<br /><br />Bless you and your hubby for leading the Deeper Life group at church. I had almost added a bit to this blog about Christ being the bridegroom, which we know from Scripture. In Biblical times, the bridegroom would "find" his bride, then go home to build a room onto his father's house. Once the room was ready, the bridegroom would return to his bride and take her to their new home where they would live together. That info makes John 14:2 more meaningful when Christ says he's going to his father's house to prepare a room for us. We are the bride and he is the bridegroom, which is so powerful. Often we talk about the Church being the bride, which it is, but we are as well. And all of that shows the importance of marriage, the sanctity of marriage when Christ is the center of that union.<br /><br />It's a rainy day in Georgia. A dreary, wet day. I hope you're having sunshine and blue skies in the Northeast! Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-41682877780135177142020-09-16T11:34:18.770-04:002020-09-16T11:34:18.770-04:00That HEA is so necessary for me as a reader, no ma...That HEA is so necessary for me as a reader, no matter the genre. <br /><br />In the classical world, stories were either comedies or tragedies. The comedy was the story that took the hero to the depths and back up again to a resolution. Tragedies are the stories that have the hero starting in a bad place, he finds success along the way, but he ends up either where he started or worse.<br /><br />I long for the comedy - the HEA. That gives me hope and anticipation of our future Happily Ever After with Christ. :-)Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-7423873935831740302020-09-16T10:25:42.691-04:002020-09-16T10:25:42.691-04:00What a brilliant and inspiring post, Debby! I alr...What a brilliant and inspiring post, Debby! I already have your book and will read/review soon. Blessings~~Jackie Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01560988571943512422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-19197608594043503632020-09-16T09:32:48.356-04:002020-09-16T09:32:48.356-04:00Debby, what a great post! You're right, when t...Debby, what a great post! You're right, when the hero/heroine make a sacrifice of some sort, the story goes deeper for me. I loved this. As I begin plotting a new story, I'm going to need to really take this to heart and plan this for that perfect (I hope) HEA. Jeanne Takenakahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07409533877632020738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-73181320923131426902020-09-16T08:53:54.792-04:002020-09-16T08:53:54.792-04:00Debby, this is Buh-rilliant, you've done it ag...Debby, this is Buh-rilliant, you've done it again. Sacrifice can be as scary as when He throws himself in front of a moving train to save Her, or as still-small-voice as Him wanting what's best for Her and Her wanting what's best for Him. <br />I may have hit on something like that in my second book, where Pace's lifetime enemies are coming to Hall's Mill, he knows it and he sends Oona on East ahead of him because he wants her out of the way, even though he knows he may never see her again. Of course she figures it out and comes back, which is HER sacrifice. Except it isn't, because she knows they are meant to be together. <br />My husband and I lead a Deeper Life group at our church, and it's interesting how often the marriage relationship comes up as a model for the Christian's walk with Christ. It gives me chills.<br />Between projects now, last "Western Dreams" with beta readers and Christmas novella all set except for the galleys. My plate's full with other stuff but would rather be writing. Praying about next book or series.<br />May be back later.<br />Your Kaybee<br />Working it out in New Hampshirekaybeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14473317230010542909noreply@blogger.com