PROTECTION (GOING FINE)

Storming on; half way through chapter nineteen and acutely aware of the power I've got over my characters. I guess all authors approaching the end of a book ask themselves again and again, do I make it sad, shocking or happy? Readers probably have desires too, some will like to close a book and wet the cover with newly cried tears, while others may think, hey, the author needs to snuff that guy or that gal out before the last page, It takes only a few choice words to alter the path of a story. At least twice in this book I've delivered surprises to myself; one a nasty surprise and the other left me gutted. But hey, I've rectified one of them, brought about a touch of happiness. The question is - do I sustain the happiness or punch the reader in the guts? In a way, this is a horrible decision to have to make. Jerry is a nice guy, and I'm pretty fond of all my gals too. Right now, I hope they make it to the final page.