Weightless: Ending Discussion - Spoilers May Abound

[Cynus]

I know a lot of people will have issues with the ending. So far the reviews from my editorial team have been rather mixed, and they tend to reflect the public opinion. I'm going to attempt and meet that potential criticism head on, because I need to do everything I can to help you understand something.

This was the only way the story could have ended, if it were written by me.

When I started this story, it was about letting go. I knew that from the beginning. Zane is representative of a specific individual and scenario from my past, which I've drug with me for nearly two decades. He represented a lot of negative experiences I endured, survived, but which left me cracked and flawed and wondering how the world could be so cruel.

Zane represents a boy with a broken smirk, and a betrayed gaze which told me he knew I wouldn't be in his life for long, and that I'd just end up hurting him. The former turned out to be true, the latter I did everything in my power to keep from ever happening.

This story was written for me. It was written so that I could let go of that boy, my first love who bore more hardship than any kid should have to bear. I wanted to write about him overcoming hardship, about overcoming people who didn't understand him, who hated him just for existing, because that's what happened in the real world. And, at the end of chapter 9, I thought I'd resolved those emotions within myself.

Chapter 10 took me two full weeks to write, but at the end of it, I truly felt complete. The reason I'd written the story was now done. The only problem was, the story wasn't over. I couldn't end it there, not for you.

And so I started working on Chapter 11. I wrote 500 words, deleted them all. I wrote a 1000, and deleted those, too. I wrote half a chapter of dialogue only, then deleted the file because I was so frustrated. I was trying to end it in ways which I knew everyone would like, because at that point, I wasn't writing it for me anymore.

And I couldn't do that. I'm sorry.

This was the only way the story could have ended, with me telling you what I learned from writing it. With me speaking through Zane.

I hope that you'll forgive me.

This story wasn't written for you. It was written for a boy with a broken smile, and eyes which shook me to my core for eighteen years.

And I'm letting go.

-Cynus

[Reader1810]

I haven't read Weightless yet, but it's on my To Read list. Having said, that, I understand completely that you ended the story as you felt it should be ended. I gather from what you've written here that the ending was not all sunshine and roses. Sometimes endings aren't that way and we must respect that. To not do so, would be wrong. 

 

In the end, I'm guessing you told the truth rather than a lie. That's a good thing if you ask me. In doing so, you've honoured "Zane", have you not? 

Edited November 23, 2016 by Reader1810

[hohochan657]

Without reading this discussion thread, I have liked the ending of the story anyway. Reading your explanation, l feel for it even more ... Sometimes life is just incredibly sad and frustrating and I'm glad that in Weightless, Zane at least have one love and many friends to help him / carry him through the darker parts. Now every time I re-read the stories (l will be honest and say that I'll re-read Fearless more often), I'll have "Zane" in my thoughts and wish him well, wherever he is ... Letting go and forgiving (oneself or other people) has never been easy for me, I'll try using your example ...

 

Hmm ... let me compose my thoughts and write a chapter review befitting of the last chapter !

 

Thank you Cynus !

[Mikiesboy]

To thine own self be true, buddy... 

[Headstall]

Writing can be all kinds of things to different people. But the best kind of writing has integrity, and that is for the author to decide. The few times I've considered straying from my vision for a story, with the idea of pleasing others, it never felt right, and I couldn't do it either. Kudos, buddy, for making the decision to stay true to your goals for this story... I commend you

[Former Member]

Thank you for sharing this with us.

 

 

One reason I enjoy attending Frameline (San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival) every year is that the writers and directors of the movies often attend and participate in Q&A sessions. There have been times when they have made the movie even better than if things hadn't been revealed to the audience.

 

There was also a time when the background information proved that the writer/director was trivializing mental health diagnoses and treatment by tricking a psychologist into diagnosing him using made-up symptoms just so he could incorporate it into his movie! I was so insulted I could not remain for the rest of his answers.

 

My diagnosis of Depression and Anxiety are serious enough to qualify me for Social Security Disability, but I know my symptoms are relatively mild and manageable compared with many others I've met during my two years of homelessness (almost four years ago). Only a few people ever told me their diagnosis, but among them many are bipolar and/or psychotic. My best friend was diagnosed about a decade ago with severe panic attacks and as psychotic.

 

 

My therapists have occasionally asked me if there is a history of mental health issues in my family. But all I can tell them is that any such issues would be buried deep, very deep. I would never have been told of such a shameful family secret. As you can tell, I don't feel compelled to hide my depression and anxiety.

Edited November 23, 2016 by Former Member