On Sunday, I moderated the final panel at Capclave, “Endings: Varieties of Wrapping Up,” during which I wrangled Brenda Clough, Ann Crispin, and Bud Webster. Actually, hardly any wrangling occurred. The four of us have known each other for at least twenty years, I think, so there was plenty of comfort there, and we could have easily talked for an hour on almost any subject.

In fact, we chattered so seamlessly that I never found an opportune moment to quote one of my favorite story endings of all time. If I’d done so, it would have stopped the flow of conversation, so I didn’t bother, and so I’ll share it here with you instead.

It comes from Jessica Amanda Salmonson’s “Time-Slit Through a Rice Paper Window,” which continues to amaze me, and which I published way back in 1984 in the Summer 1984 issue of Last Wave.

Here’s how her story concludes:

A few days later (we are time traveling again) Kohachi is home with his mother. There is much ado about the marriage preparations and the invitations which must be sent out. A servant is replacing the torn windows in the rice paper screens and doors, so everything will be spiffy for the celebration. We won’t be able to see through the time-slit much longer. What will happen to Kohachi after we are gone? Perhaps he has a good life with his bride, winning a few more duels in his life. Perhaps there is a war and he goes off to that and dies, or else is a success and becomes a wealthy warlord. Possibly the son of someone he killed comes and duels with him and wins. It is difficult to know what occurs in the life of the people in a story after the story ends. If we have any hearts at all, we must suffer thinking about it. That’s why stories sometimes say “happily ever after” or else kill all the characters off, so that we won’t have to worry about it. As for Kohachi, we have no idea what happens to him after this. We can always hope for the best.

I know I’m biased, but twenty-seven years after I first read them, those words still give me the tingles.

I had a wonderful weekend at Capclave. I did a reading and took part in two well-received panels, moderating one of them. I was originally going to participate in a third panel until a certain British knight decided to pop by.

To the surprise of us all, Sir Terry Pratchett made a last-minute visit to the con, as the final appearance in his U.S. tour for Snuff. In fact, his appearance was so final I believe he and his assistant Rob Wilkins headed off to the airport (and the UK) immediately after their noon Q&A.

As far as I’m concerned, it was the highlight of the con. I’d give up any number of opportunities to pontificate in exchange for a chance to hear Pratchett. And as those of you who know me already know, without me having to say it—I was in the front row with my Flip balanced on one knee.

Here, for those who couldn’t make it to Capclave—and for those who could, but would like to relive the lovely hour—is video from the event.

I’ll be attending Capclave next month, a local science fiction convention held in Gaitherburg, Maryland. If you’ll be there, too, here’s where you’ll be able to find me. (Well, when I’m not hanging out in the bar or con suite, that is.)

Ideas into Story
Saturday, October 15, 1:00 PM
”Where do you get your ideas ?” is a question that writers always get asked. The real work is taking an idea and turning into a story. How does that happen?

Reading
Saturday, October 15, 6:30 PM
Got a few weeks to decide exactly what I’ll be reading … all I know is that it’ll be something I’ve never read at a Capclave before!

Self-Editing: From Rough Draft to Finished Work (m)
Sunday, October 16, 1:00 PM
How do writers look critically at their own work? What steps do they take to hone their drafts into polished stories?

Endings: Varieties of Wrapping Up (m)
Sunday, October 16, 3:00 PM
In the final pages, the resolution of the present story becomes clear (and so might the nature of the sequel). It’s not always done well—let’s talk about how and when it is done well, as well as the many other challenges of creating good endings.

See you there!