Closure

 

As I prepare to visit South Africa probably for the last time after a forty-year association, I have been reflecting on closure. This journey is important to finalise banking matters after the premature death of my daughter in 2020. It will be a journey tinged with sadness yet so many happy memories of my children growing up will linger.

The bible teaches us that there is a season and a cycle for everything. It is difficult to grasp when you are young. Childhood seems to go on forever as you long to be a teenager. In your twenties you dream of either babies or a career. Time passes so quickly so before you know it, you’re in the ‘twilight’ years. It’s strange isn’t how one theme carries over to many areas of life.  My garden is going through my summer closing down procedure. The pots are washed. The greenhouse and potting shed have been tidied. Half-hardy and delicate plants have been put inside. Just a little while longer and the dahlias will be cut back and dug up for storage.

  Writing too demands closure. A suitable dignified ending is vital whatever genre you are in. The trend seems to be a discordant, confusing, sometimes challenging end which can leave the nerves jarred and on edge. It is recommended to be a knife-edge twist and turn at the end of every chapter to keep the reader interested and engaged. Often a problem or challenge is not resolved. You may say that’s life. Yet writing and reading are not life. There are opportunities to leave the readers satisfied and complete. The problems can be ‘aired’ if not solved. They do not need to be hinted at and then left to rot under the blanket. I could argue that a Christian writer is duty bound to bring faith and hope to the end of their story, but before you throw the eggs, I’ll submit in love to those who would argue for a cliff-hanger.

  Publishers and agents demand an excellent beginning. Often, they only ask for the first few chapters to read. Endings are just as important. Perhaps you are like me – full of good ideas and able to make great beginnings but slow off in the middle and come to a halt at the end. Whatever it is, finish it. Finish it with dignity, and love. Andrew Graystone at the AGM talk, said when you’ve finished writing, cut off the last sentence. He didn’t say why but I suspect it was to avoid an aeroplane landing. I’m open to suggestions why he said that.

   I’m reminded that our Lord Jesus did finish with dignity and love. At the end he made sure his mum was cared for, reassured his disciples by extraordinary appearances and then with love he went back to heaven. His last words before his death according to John’s gospel, concur, “It is finished.” (John 19:30)

 

Rosalie Weller is an ordained minister in the Uniting Presbyterian church of Southern Africa. She is now retired and writing in the East Midlands. Her writing interests are broad, including writing bible study guides, historical fiction and poetry. All her books are available from Amazon. For more information see her website www.rosalieweller.com