Beginnings and endings

I’ve been thinking about beginnings and endings, how hard they work. I mean, think of all the things beginnings do. A good beginning hints at truths to come, tells us about the characters we’re about to meet, sets the mood of the story, and gives information, at least a little bit. Phew, how tiring. And then there’s endings. What makes a good one? An element of surprise? A sigh of relief? A good cry? Jack Hodgins says good endings are found not created. Maybe that’s true. And maybe that’s true of beginnings too. So that’s what I’m aiming for. You?