In a column for PJ Media, publicist and novelist Scott Pinsker wrote that there are no happy endings. As readers and listeners, we never want a good story to end.

Here is what Scott wrote:

One more time: There are no happy endings!

After all, when a story is truly great, we don’t want it to end. We need the story to go on and on forever — and for the adventures to continue. When it’s finally time to say goodbye, we mourn the loss.

And mourning isn’t happy.

But it’s par for the course in storytelling; the immoveable yin to the irresistible yang. Can’t have one without the other. As American genius, billionaire, playboy, and philanthropist Tony Stark noted before his death:

“Part of the journey is the end.”

I remember when the hand-picked substitute author massacred the ending of The World of Time series by Robert Jordan. There were and are so many stories still to tell of that world, but the replacement author simply let the story peter away. So disappointing.

But, of course, he didn’t have the inspiration or vision that the original author had. He couldn’t tell the stories. BUT the publisher should have found some fans that would have loved to continue those stories, to continue celebrating an incredible world populated by very interesting people. I hope there are some fans that will tell those stories. They have my permission — and encouragement — to do so.

As authors, we should all have fans that are inspired to continue telling our stories — whether fiction or nonfiction.

Stories are always worth continuing. They shouldn’t have an end. Why not tell more of your story today? You have the time!

And when your time ends, I encourage other courageous writers to continue your stories. Stories without end. Stories that live on and on. Stories that change lives. Stories that move us to greater things.

Move on!