Writing the End – Part IV

/ D. Wallace Peach

Greetings Storytellers.  Diana here today. I’m back with more thoughts on how to end our books. So far, in this series of posts about Endings, we’ve covered:

In this post, we’re going to browse through the elements that contribute to a satisfying ending for our readers.

I’ve gathered 14 tips/guidelines for you to think about as you plan the awesome conclusion to your story. Not all of them will apply to every ending or to every writer’s approach, but I hope you find some inspiration! Today I’m sharing the first 7 of them, and next month I’ll wrap up the series with the last.

Tips for Writing an Awesome Ending (1-7)

1. Know how your book will end

Every chapter and scene in a book feeds the end of the story. Chapters will change and flesh out with details as the story grows, but don’t leave the ending entirely to chance.

All images from Pixabay

I know some avid pantsers begin writing without any idea about how their novel will end. But in general, it’s helpful to have a vision of the conclusion from the start. A sense of what happens in the story’s climax will guide your writing and aid you in dropping narrative clues. These clues help your reader accept the logic of the outcome when they reach the last page.

One way to find your ending is to look at the story’s beginning. A story may contain multiple storylines and subplots, but all of them will have a central question raised at the start. Who killed the president? Will the adversaries find love? Can a band of misfit soldiers blow up the asteroid? Can this mother and daughter heal their relationship? That central question drives the plot and needs to be resolved at the book’s end.

2. Write a logical ending

Even if your ending is unpredictable and full of twists, it should come about logically and make sense. Regardless of the genre, the ending must arise from the logical progression of the plot and your character’s choices and actions. That way your reader can reason through the story’s events and understand how they led to the final conclusion. When your ending isn’t logical and doesn’t align with what came before, you risk leaving your readers feeling misled and baffled by the story’s point.

3. Write a satisfying end

The simplest way to write a satisfying ending is to wrap up all the elements introduced throughout the story, including the main character’s journey, plots, subplots, and secondary characters’ storylines. Consider resolving the least important plotlines first, and saving the more important ones for the climax or as late in the book as possible. Keep your reader in suspense.

Address the questions raised during the story that might leave the reader wondering. Ideally, the answers to questions should tie back to clues or plot elements that were set up earlier in the story.

4. End with a Sense of Finality

The end of your book should feel like something … ended (even if the ending is ambiguous). The lovers are getting married, the mystery of the missing heirloom is solved, the aliens have flown away (or have they?), the monster is dead never to crush a taxi cab again. The crisis that kicked off the book is over and done with.

The exception to this “rule” is the Unresolved Ending associated with a series or serial. Though the overarching plot and character’s goal for a series don’t need to have a sense of finality, each book needs to reach its own climax with a satisfying end to most subplots and questions. Tying up a book in a series is much like tying up a chapter—the story continues, but whatever happened in the chapter is over and done with.

5. Know when to end

Finding the right place to start a book has a mirrored challenge at the end. If endings come too early with too little resolution, they feel rushed. If the ending goes on too long, it steals power from the climax and kills the pace generated by all the excitement. The perfect ending of your novel should keep descriptions, musings, and explanations to a minimum while maximizing action and conflict.

Once the action is over, a denouement (final scene) is an opportunity to take a breath, and see how the story’s resolution impacted the characters and their world. It’s a chance to wrap up a last few minor questions or plot points. To avoid dragging, keep it relevant and tie it up quickly.

6. Last impressions matter

The final line (and paragraph) of a story is as important as the first one. It’s the last impression you leave in your reader’s mind and their final takeaway from the read. Often the final words point directly to the story’s theme. Emotions make a story linger in a reader’s mind, so ask yourself how you want your reader to feel at the book’s closing, and then, what kind of image or concluding thought will best get them there.

7. Keep things fresh

Though this advice is useful during every part of the writing process, it’s especially important at the ending. Predictable endings will make a great story fall flat. Certain genres have prescribed endings (romances end with happily ever after, and murder mysteries with the killer revealed). But that doesn’t mean the reader should see the end coming. Even if your readers expect a certain type of ending, a satisfying ending will be fresh, interesting, and have an element of surprise.

***

That covers the first seven suggestions for writing a great ending. Next month, we’ll hit the last seven. Did any of these make you think? I’m assuming that you’ve all read books that end wonderfully. What about those that don’t? Were they missing any of these elements?

Happy Writing!

117 thoughts on “Writing the End – Part IV”

  2. Pingback: Writing the End – Part V | Story Empire

  7. Since I’m madly writing the end of my 5 books series, these tips are especially timely. It feels like a lot of pressure to deliver a very satisfying ending for readers who invest in a 5 books story, so I’m taking my time to assure that all questions are addressed and settled in some way, and also to avoid making the last book feel like the answer section of a puzzle book – full of dry solutions.
    I ended up adding in one more action/puzzle thread in the last two books that keeps the tension and stakes high, so while we’re learning the solution to most of the arc’s mysteries, there are a few more added and tipped on their heads to give a bit of surprise near the end. It’s working, but the weaving is complex. I can’t wait to finish!

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    • What a great comment, Sheri. I can totally see why getting it right at the end of 5 books feels critical. You, and your readers, have invested a lot of time to get there. I love the idea that some things get wrapped up early while you keep others for the true end. That makes sense. Happy Writing!

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  8. Hi Diana, thank your for another interesting and useful post. I prefer complete endings that are satisfying and tie up all lose threads. I do not like being coerced into reading another book in a serial through an incomplete, cliff hanger ending, but that is my personal dislike and not necessarily general to other people. I always have my endings first, and to date, they have not changed significantly during my writing process.

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    • Lots of readers have mixed feelings about cliffhanger endings, Robbie. It always makes sense to wrap up at least the subplots. I’m not surprised that you have an ending in mind since your plots are complex. Thanks for the visit and Happy Writing, my friend.

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  10. These are such great tips, Diana. No wonder your books engage your readers so well. I would love to attempt a novel someday, but…I’m too busy writing poems and dabbling in fiction and non-fiction short stories (and blogging). 🙂 When I read through your tips, they all sound so logical. And yet, I know they’re not easy to implement. Anyway, thanks for the great advice that I will keep handy for reference. ❤️

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  14. The worst ending I’ve seen was a movie called The Cowboys by one of my heroes, John Wayne. He’s a curmudgeonly rancher who hires a bunch of kids to help on a cattle drive. They go through a dangerous journey together, and then, just when the end is in sight, John Wayne dies! Ruined the whole movie for me, lol

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    • My dad used to take us to John Wayne drive ins, Jacquie, so I’ve probably seen the movie. Oh, how sad for someone who loves HEA endings. It obviously stuck in your memory. And it goes to show how lasting the impression of an ending can be. Thanks for adding to the fun, my friend. ❤

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  15. Such sage advice from a master wordsmith. I’m reminded of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series and how utterly and frustratingly disappointed I was with the “ending” after having devoted so much time reading and re-reading the earlier installments while he wrote the latter ones. A good ending is crucial, and your advice is spot-on. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with us, Diana. 🙂

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    • Thanks for dropping by, Mike. Your experience shows how important the ending is to a story. It leaves an aftertaste, and a wonderful book can end up disappointing the reader if the ending falls apart. They take work, and even the greats don’t always get it right. It’s worth focusing on for sure. Have a lovely day, my friend. I appreciate your visits, always.

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  17. I don’t actually mind a sad ending so long as it resolves the story. I mean A Tale of Two Cities would be a bit meh if the hero lived happily ever after. 😉
    Great post, as always. I’m always in awe of your craft. Good stuff. 🙂

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    • I always keep you in mind when I write these posts, Andrea, since you are the one author I know who pantsers the end and lets it come to you organically as you write (I think I got that right). There are so many different ways to apply our craft and different stories that rules have to come with caveats. Like you, I don’t mind sad endings. As long as a tale is well told, I actually like any kind of ending, and sometimes the less common ones linger a little longer. Thanks for stopping by, my friend. Always wonderful to see you. ❤ ❤

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      • The one thing I’ve learned from talking to you and other writers is that there is no one-best-way. I actually enjoy editing so I edit the hell out of my writing to make sure everything works and everything fits. In that way, you and I achieve a very similar end result. But…I know that most writers hate editing so my way probably wouldn’t work for other pantsters either. -shrug-
        Talking of endings, the ending of your Veil series is a perfect example of a resolution that had to be. I simply can’t imagine it ending any other way.
        No spoilers for those who haven’t read Unravelling the Veil but did you have that ending in mind from the very start? I ask because it feels so…organic!

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      • I actually enjoy editing too. I like the feeling of a story weaving together and making internal connections. I plot out my stories, Andrea, as I did with Unraveling the Veil. But I also leave lots and lots of room for flexibility, and if a change seems right, the story changes. It’s the organic way that a story comes alive that I enjoy most about writing. 🙂

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      • Yes! Isn’t it odd? When you edit you get this god-like overview of the story, like looking down at a country and seeing the contours of the land and the rivers that run through it. And the best part is that you are the celestial gardener who has the power to make it all a beautiful whole. -blush- I’ll stop rabbiting on now.

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  18. Again, good timing for this discussion. This morning, I drafted an ending paragraph for my novel-in-progress from the #6 perspective. #3 just sent me back to the draft to tie up a secondary character’s arc. Thank you! (The last chapter itself, however, has not yet earned its new ending. 😉 )

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    • Thanks for the visit and the kind comment, Dan. I’m glad it was easy to understand and made sense. We all approach writing differently and each story is unique, but it’s valuable, I think, to have a few guidelines to ponder. Have a great week and Happy Writing!

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  22. I’m still developing a style, but I’m more of a pantser. Still, I can’t imagine writing a story without knowing where I’m going. The analogy that first comes to mind is traveling. I know some can take off, and the entire trip is one big mystery and adventure. I prefer to have a final destination, and the other things that happen along the way are more unscripted. I occasionally backpacked when I was younger. I once ran into two younger guys (I imagine without families) who took a year off from their careers and were hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from Canada to Mexico. Their overall theme was would they make it? The trip in between was the pantser part of their adventure. That’s the way I envision my writing style. Of course, that is not without its share of peril.

    I’m currently working on the ending of my second novel (I pushed the first aside to contemplate how best to approach it when I return), so I read this post and reread the other parts of this series just now. Excellent information, Diana. As always, you are an excellent writing instructor.

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    • That’s a great analogy, Pete, and I actually think most pantsers hike the way you do. It’s quite an adventure though occasionally they can get lost or take the wrong trail or get sidetracked by beautiful views. Lol. I like hiking with a map, to be honest. But we each have to learn what works best for us and there’s no wrong way if we reach the destination. I’m glad these posts have been helpful. One more to go and the series will be done. Happy Writing, my friend. 🙂

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  23. I cannot imagine beginning a project without first knowing where it will end. I am a plotter. It boggles my mind to even consider not having the ending before starting. Knowing the ending allows me to leave bread crumbs along the way. That said, there are some pantsers who thrive in this area. This is an informative post, Diana. Well done.

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    • I’m a plotter too, Beem, so I can relate to your utter bafflement. I think most pantsers do have an ending in mind even if it’s vague, but I know one writer who starts without any idea at all. She lets it come to her as the story progresses. Her books are amazing, but they also take a long long time to write and go through lots of editing. When I started plotting, I cut my editing time by 75%. So there’s that too. Thanks for stopping by to read. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. 😀

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    • Thanks for the visit, Karen, and the great comment. That number 5 is so tricky! It’s a balancing act and each story is different so there isn’t a formula. I like the extra wrap-up too, the chance to take a breath with the characters and process all that they’ve been through and how they and their world have changed. But I also start skimming if it goes on and on and on, and that’s not a good way to close a book. When authors get it right, it’s a pleasure. Have a lovely day and Happy Writing!

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  25. All great points, Diana!

    Since I started to write short stories a few years ago, I often read stories written by others both for enjoyment and to learn more about the craft. One thing I’ve noticed is that many of the stories published online (I assume they have been vetted for publication by someone or a panel) don’t really have what I would call a satisfying ending. It’s as if the story teller just wanders away leaving unanswered questions and I’m left wondering what was the point of the story. I don’t need everything tied up with a neat bow, but it’s nice to finish reading and think, wow, that was well written and meaningful/surprising/thought-provoking.

    So, I wonder, is that type of short story writing more of a “thing” now? Am I too simplistic as a reader? Am I missing something?

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    • I notice that too, Janis, and I wonder if it’s related to the prevalence of flash fiction online, popular because of its brevity. Flash fiction (to me) tends to present a “slice of life” rather than the standard structure of a traditional story. It hooks the reader and leaves a lot open for the imagination at the end. In a way, it’s easier to write because the author doesn’t need to wrap things up or worry about what comes next at all (at least that’s how it works for me). That said, flash fiction still needs to spark our imaginations or grip our emotions even if we’re left with some (or a lot of) ambiguity. It needs to entertain! Thanks for the question comment! What a fun discussion that would make. Happy Writing, my friend.

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  26. As a reader, I am quick to criticize illogical and absurd endings but now I know how much work goes into writing a book. So far I’ve been flying kites with writing poems that hardly need any rules. Poetic license is a fabulous cover! 😀 Thank you for all these tips Diana, they are helpful in understanding the writing process.

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    • Poetry has its own unique challenges and skills, Balroop, and many prose writers struggle to cross that poetic bridge, and visa versa. It’s like comparing playing the harp to the violin. All stringed music but different instruments. I’m so glad these posts are helpful and interesting. All of us are lifelong learners when it comes to this stuff, it’s exciting as well as a lot of work. Enjoy every moment. 🙂 ❤

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    • Thanks, Layla. I agree that sometimes endings are right there, and other times they take work. It’s well worth the effort to get them right, either way. And don’t we love reading a great ending? It’s such a satisfying experience for a reader. Thanks for the visit, my friend. Happy Writing!

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  28. This is so good, Diana. I love how you said each chapter feeds the ending of the story. That brought such a strong visual to me. 🙂 Great suggestions and tips. As a reader, I must have a satisfying ending, even if it is ambiguous. In fact, I don’t mind a book ending that lets me decide the outcome. 🙂 Thank you for sharing!

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    • Thanks for stopping by and adding to the conversation, Jan. I think that statement about each chapter feeding the end is an important one. It kind of ties the book together and explains why endings are so powerful. Leaving a little mystery for the reader is just fine, especially if it feels like the denouement is getting long. Then there are readers who want every detail tied up! We have so many choices and it’s a balancing act. 😀 Happy Writing!

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    • Thanks so much for stopping by to read about endings, Judi Lynn. You’re so right that finding the balance is critical, and every story is different with different needs. Ending are always worth a little extra contemplation. 🙂 Happy Writing!

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    • Thanks for swinging by to read, Denise. I couldn’t agree more. In fact, a great ending can save an average story! I see reviews every now and then where a reader mentions that a book was okay, but they loved the ending and highly recommend the read after all. It’s worth the effort. Have a great day and Happy Writing!

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  31. Another great post, Diana. Even though I consider myself a pantser, I always know how I want the book to end. Getting there may take me on some unexpected twists and turns, but eventually, I make it. Knowing when to end a story is important. I’ve read books that left me wanting more and also ones that I thought would never end.

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    • Great comment, Joan. I figured that a lot of pantsers (maybe most?) have an idea of the ending even though how they get there can be full of twists and turns. That creative part is so much fun! And I totally agree with you on the importance of knowing when to end a story. After all that hard work getting there… it needs to wrap up just right. 🙂 Happy Writing!

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    • Oh, so you’re at that “end some things, leave others open” stage. That’s a tricky transition/ending, Jacqui, one I haven’t done perfectly in every case, that’s for sure. I’m glad this gave you some things to think about. 🙂 Happy outlining!

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    • Same here, Priscilla. Ambiguous endings have to make sense, and they definitely require a lot of skill and craft to work well. They’re still “endings,” with all the same requirements except for one lingering question that’s left to the reader to muse about. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Happy Writing!

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  39. I remember the end of the Lord of the Rings trilogy (film version) had an ending that drove me nuts. It was like Peter Jackson didn’t want to say goodbye to the world, so he had seventy-eight denouement scenes. Just when you thought it was over, another scene came on screen. I love getting an idea of how these characters will fare in the long run, but there is such a thing as too much. You’ve got to know where to draw the line. I suspect outlining helps. (Of course I’d say that, as I’m an outliner.) I also think finding that one poignant image, paragraph, or line helps.

    I love these tips (and this series), Diana. And I’m looking forward to the next post. Thanks.

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    • LOL The Lord of the Rings film is a good example of “enough already,” Staci. I think sometimes authors have a hard time letting their stories go, especially if they’ve fallen in love with their characters. Goodbyes are hard! I love your comment about finding that one poignant image for the end – that scene that encapsulates the resolution of the theme and emotion of the story where it all comes together is a satisfying sigh. As a reader, I love that… and it lingers after I close the book. Thanks for the visit!

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    • So interesting, Jill, that your publisher is giving you your ending, (although I’m guessing that it aligns with your ideas too). Are you content plotting now, or would you rather go back to pantsering? Just curious. I’m glad the tips resonated. Thanks for the visit and Happy Writing! ❤

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      • Yes, the guidelines (happy ending) do align with my ideas, but that darn required synopsis sometimes makes me feel boxed in. I’d much rather go back to pantsering since writing was always my way to relieve stress. Have a great day! xo

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  42. Very clarifying, Diana, thank you. When I write I have a strong sense of the story’s trajectory, but I only have a glimpse of how it will end. I’m a pantser by nature–in everyday life and in my writing. I plan, but always in the skeleton and always ready to shift. 😊

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    • Thanks for the comment, Gwen. I’m an avid plotter, but my vision of the end is often just a hazy vision that solidifies as I write. I knew the plotter/pantser differences would bring lots of comments today. My guess was that even pantsers have at least some idea of how their stories will end, that they aren’t writing without any clue at all, but that may be my bias. It’s going to be interesting to read the comments today. 🙂 Happy Writing!

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  43. Great points on how to end a book. I look forward to reading your post on the next seven. While I’m a pantser, I do know where the ending is going when I start. I hate an unresolved finish that feels too rushed. Thanks for sharing, Diana. Have a wonderful week 💕🙂

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    • Thanks for dropping by, Harmony. I’m guessing (and may be wrong) that most pantsers have at least some vision of how they want their book to end. And I agree with you about rushed endings. I’m left feeling cheated. Lol. And endings that are too long, I’ll skim, which is kind of a letdown. This writing thing is really a craft and getting it right takes work. Happy Writing, my friend.

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  44. These are all great points, Diana. (BTW, I loved the monster being dead “never to crush a taxi cab again.”)

    A bad ending can kill a whole book for me, which harkens to number 6. No matter how good the story if the ending lacks, it ruins the entire experience because “last impressions matter.”

    On the other hand, I finished a book last week and the final line of the novel was so good, it’s still lingering in my head! Once again, “last impressions matter!”

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    • I’m so glad you enjoyed the taxi cab example. Lol. I tried to find an image of that, but oh well. And I agree with you that last impressions are critical. Think of all the times that reviews include something like “I loved the ending” or “the ending was perfect.” They really do matter to readers, and it’s great when we nail them. Happy Writing!

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  45. Great stuff! When I start writing I know the beginning, some salient features in the middle and the final outcome. The rest seems to develop organically and as I write I can see how possibilities that come to me can be woven into the end. I do like my endings to be properly resolved and not turn out to be a dream, and I also like to be kept in suspense until pretty much the very end. I read a book a couple of years ago where the peril was over 3/4 of the way through the book and the final quarter simply irritated me. Hope you have a new one on the go! ♥

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    • I think we write with about the same level of preplanning, Alex, although I’m more of a plotter than I used to be. That organic unfolding of a story is the part of writing I enjoy the most. It lets the characters take the lead and be themselves. And I can relate to reading books that struggle to end at the right time. I find both too early and too late irritating. Lol. Yes, I’m working on another. I hope the same is true for you!

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  49. No argument that the main questions of the plot must be resolved by the ending. But I do like a bit of a linger, especially if I’ve really enjoyed the book and don’t want it to end. It shouldn’t go on too long, though. Just a few afterthoughts by one or two characters as they leave the scene.

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    • A bit of a linger can be very satisfying and enjoyable, Audrey, especially if the author has made us care for the characters. There’s some wiggle room, of course. And I’m with you on liking to see things wrapped up logically at the end. There’s nothing quite as disappointing as a great story at falls short at the end. Thanks for stopping by, and Happy Wrting!

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