Main character Quote by Gene Wolfe
““There is one final point, the point that separates a true multivolume work from a short story, a novel, or a series. The ending of the final volume should leave the reader with the feeling that he has gone through the defining circumstances of Main Character's life. The leading character in a series can wander off into another book and a new adventure better even than this one. Main Character cannot, at the end of your multivolume work. (Or at least, it should seem so.) His life may continue, and in most cases it will. He may or may not live happily ever after. But the problems he will face in the future will not be as important to him or to us, nor the summers as golden.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Art of Writing Series, 1992
A multivolume work should give a sense of continuity, allowing the main character’s life to feel ongoing beyond the final book.
In simple terms: Series should feel like a life, not a closed ending.
Key Takeaway
Craft endings that suggest continuation.
Themes
storytelling
narrative structure
character development
series writing
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
literary
creative
When to use this quote
- novel planning
- series development
- reader engagement
- plot pacing
Key Concepts
continuity
open‑ended resolution
Questions to Reflect On
- Does an open ending satisfy or frustrate readers?
- How can you balance closure with future possibilities?
A Different Perspective
Some readers prefer definitive conclusions.
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