It seems that many readers missed the essence of the story

Dear Readers,

For 68 weeks, we met every week at the back of the magazine, as I shared the story of Light Years Away. Throughout that time, I’ve heard feedback — complaints and compliments, questions and criticism. With the story’s conclusion last week, I got accusations. That it ended too abruptly, that there is no closure, that it needs at least 20 more chapters, that no real writer would end a story this way.

And I felt a dull, aching sadness.

Not just because I thought I’d tied up all the ends nicely, over the course of about ten carefully planned chapters, yet all my efforts were lost on these disappointed readers. But because it seems that many readers missed the essence of the story.

If, after a whole story about people coming to new realizations, people becoming more attuned to each other, more accepting of each other and of their own realities, a story of people learning to rethink and reinvent their relationships, never giving up on connecting with those they love, I could still get such strident feedback, then perhaps it’s time for the magazine to print stories of another kind. Stories that are in sharp focus, clear and decisive. Stories where everything is black and white!! With lots of exclamation points!!! And a definitive ending, with all the bad guys dead!!! But before they die, they should say Vidui! Out loud! And regret everything they did! And all the good guys should live happily ever after!!! And then the story should end, exactly where you want it to!!! Not a moment before, and not a moment after!!!

But as for the present situation, Light Years Away, which was initially mapped out as 60 chapters, is over. And the author proudly admits that she doesn’t know how to write stories where everything is tightly wrapped up in a neat shiny bow and it’s perfectly clear which character is the good guy (and he dances for joy all day in his living room) and which is the bad guy (who is headed for big trouble).

What can I tell you? I don’t know how to write stories that end with a perfect shining moment of total clarity and peace. How is that even possible? There will always be conversations that didn’t take place, words that haven’t yet been said, thoughts that none of the protagonists have thought yet. The only way to end a story decisively is to have all the characters die. Kill them all by some natural disaster. As long as they’re living, things will continue changing in their lives, and they will always be in the middle of their journey.