Endings are tough. You need to tie up as many dangling threads as possible, leave the reader satisfied that reading the book was worthwhile, and try to go out on a memorable high note without it feeling abrupt or forced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Traditional (but still accurate) opening aside, this ending was extra tough since it isn’t necessarily the end end. Local Boy Done Gone<\/a><\/em> was supposed to be half of a two volume, read in any order sequel1<\/a><\/sup>. The other half is called Nelsonification<\/em> and follows Local Boy’s son, Nelson, the old man, and the redhead on adjacent adventures inside the same timeline(s). The simultaneous release got scrapped when life got in the way, but the goal here was to still wrap up one standalone story while setting up another AND playing it in such a way I’d know it was the midpoint for some readers and the end for others. TL;DR: Tall order for a last but not last chapter!<\/p>\n\n\n\n The chapter itself is a redux of chapter 32<\/a> with an older\/wiser Local Boy taking the reins and pushing the previous daughter saving resolution further to give 27 musicians a happier ending. How? Via “Won One” \u2014 the most important song in all timelines.2<\/a><\/sup> By “putting won and one” together (get it?3<\/a><\/sup>) a good timeline is had by all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tidbits:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n