Let me start by saying that if you want a Hollywood screenplay ending, you should complete a Hollywood screenplay. If you wish to stop reading at this point, due to a developing epiphany, or because you think I’m stupid, feel free. I can see where you could go either way with that. If you’re curious to learn how I intend to rationalize this point (because I defiantly didn’t discover it), please read on.

Let my second act in this odd piece of writing be to thank you for reading on, although I suspect you still think I’m stupid, but are just momentarily entertained. I’m okay with that. But there is more prose to come to flesh out the idea that the Hollywood ending isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Actually, it doesn’t exist.

THE SCREENPLAY IS NEVER FINISHED . . .
Rewrites are the stuff that kept people employed in all aspect off show business. Your first drafts may be brilliant, but they will never be close to perfect. Even when it’s good enough to get a financial backer, the script gets rewritten to attract the right talent. Even when the script has attracted the right talent, the script gets rewritten because that talent decides they have a better idea for character direction. Even when the script gets rewritten because that talent decides they have a better idea for character direction, the talent will decide to just wing it and improve whole scenes. Even with the improved scenes being worked in postproduction, screen test with average people will determine how much of the art that went into the effort is truly palatable. Then rewrites are created for reshoots, and so on.

Good news! In this instance you can have the Hollywood treatment. You can rewrite your life to be anything you are capable of being. Just not anything you want. I have personally rewritten my story to include being an insightful sports reporter and commentator. At 5’5”, I cannot rewrite my story to become a starting Center in the NBA.

. . . AND ‘SUCCESS’ LEAD TO A SEQUEL . . .
Every year, Hollywood does its best to prove it has run out of good ideas by recycle past ideas into new projects. Some of those ideas are far from good, but all have been ‘successful.’ That word is in quotes because your mileage may vary on just how you want to define ‘successful.’ Critical acclaim from the general public versus loved by a few rabid fans? High cash earnings of low budget requirements? A long-suffering fan base or the ability to shot in less than 30 days? What every made the first iteration a ‘success’ is more than enough reason to gamble on as many iterations as you are able to get financial backing for. I mean, they are making ‘Sharknado 2: The Second One.’

You too can have the next big iteration in your life. Pick up where your story ends off, or pick up in some newer, weirder situation that you’ve now found yourself in. The closing credits on the previous last production should not be the end of the story since it won’t be the end of the order you call your life.

. . . AND EVEN MORE SEQUELS, WHETHER YOU WANT TO BE THE STAR OR NOT . . .
I’m going to repeat the first line of this writing, and follow that with a repeat of the previous line of this writing, and prove to you that I did not lose my way in all the typing. If you want a Hollywood screenplay ending, you should complete a Hollywood screenplay. The closing credits on the last production should not be the end of the story since it won’t be the end of the ordeal you call your life.

In order for a story to work, it has to end. It begins with exposition as the setup, reveals the conflict that must be resolved for closure and satisfaction, leads you to a climax, and then wraps things up in the denouement. Sure you can say your live is more like a serial, where the is little need to wrap up any loose ends, but do you really want to live a life of constant cliffhangers? Most peoples who come across problems and conflicts in their life want to see them to some sort of conclusion, and then have them go away. Which happens often, as in, you’ll see a problem or conflict to some sort of conclusion, and then new problems or conflicts will appear. This is what the philosopher current known as Prince calls, life (an electric word that means forever and that’s a mighty long time). Life goes on regardless of your ability to rewrite your story or find a resolution to your narrative. You cannot have a Hollywood ending because when the credits run on your lifetime, your time is up. Your story, triumphant or tragic, can be reviewed by others but never again by you. Except of course, in the Afterworld (more from Prince, it’s a world of never ending happiness where you can always see the sun, day or night). As nice as the Afterworld sounds, I’m very fond of my life here on this world, and I’m sure you are too.

So continue to live. Live your life in any manner you see fit and sustainable. Rewrite your story with as much ink as you see fit. It’s your story. You may not be able to determine the exact frame of your ride into the sunset, but you can ensure those that follow your story will leave entertained.