Saying Goodbye to characters

Parting is always such sweet sorrow, especially when it’s with characters you love. Last week I released How We Began, a story that (in reality) was in the making for 3 years. Being the prequel to An Altered Ending meant that I worked with characters I already knew and were fond of, and though I didn’t start to write the story until late 2011, the possibility of working with them again had been around since I finished writing AAE back in 2010. I guess I just figured that if these characters were still lingering in the back of my mind then they weren’t finished.

Well, now their story has come full circle, and while there is still a big space in between one tale and another I can’t honestly say I think it would make a good story to say what happened. Still, as I sit here writing this post, listening to some of my favorite songs from the playlists of both novels I realize how much I’m going to miss these characters. Could they make a cameo in another book? Maybe, it’s a possibility, but it’s not as fun as diving into their lives. Do I know what comes next for them? Yes, except (again) it wouldn’t make a good story.

I’m sure this is the same feeling most writers get. It’s like saying farewell to a good friend who, though you’ll be keeping in touch with, won’t have nearly the contact you once did.

So, fellow writers, is this the case for you? Or perhaps you’re a reader who feels this way after finishing a book?