![]() Story endings are generally much more satisfying when the main character makes them happen. Her decisions and actions don't matter at all. It gives the character an escape route that gets her out of a difficult choice. And instead of resolving the main story conflict, it avoids the conflict altogether. Problem solved!Īlthough this would be great news for the couple, it would be a terrible story ending because it's a matter of pure luck. He takes it down to the roulette table and wins a million dollars. But before they reach a decision, her husband finds a hundred dollar bill on the floor of their hotel room. The young couple debates what the Demi Moore character should do. Instead, let's imagine a different ending for the story. In case you haven't seen the movie, I won't tell you how the story actually ends. Will she make this bargain? And if she does, what will be the cost for her and her marriage? That is the central problem, or conflict, in the story. After losing everythingĪt roulette, they meet a rich stranger (played by Robert Redford) who offers them a million dollars if the woman (played by Demi Moore) will spend one night with him. ![]() A young couple in need of money heads to Las Vegas to try to win the amount they need. You might be familiar with the movie An Indecent Proposal. The right ending depends on what comes before it.Ģ) Effective story endings come from the main character's actions. They need to go back and work on the beginning and middle of their story. I've noticed that when writers tell me they don't know how to end their stories, the real problem is often that they haven't developed a clear story conflict. ![]() What is the main conflict in your story? If you're not sure of the answer to this question, you need to work on that before you worry about your story ending. So the author gives the reader a hint of how things are likely to go. There might not be time to wrap everything up, or a tidy package might seem artificial. Short stories often use this subtler approach. And it looks as if Rosa has decided to stop fighting for him. It looks as if John will probably stay with Amy. The reader has enough information to guess how the conflict will probably end. It might even end a moment sooner, when Rosa turns around and walks off John's porch. Rosa goes to ring John's doorbell, hesitates, then turns around and walks back down his front path to the street, where she drops her expensive present in a garbage can. Rosa sees how comfortable they look together, how intimate. When she goes to his house to deliver it, she looks through his living room window and sees him sitting on the sofa with Amy. Many other successful endings only hint at the result of the conflict and trust readers to fill in the blanks.įor example, let's say that Rosa has saved up to buy an expensive present for John. Cinderella marries the Prince, and they live happily ever after. Some story endings supply this answer in a tidy package. Your story has raised a question, and readers want to know the answer. At the end of the story,readers expect a payoff. The story conflict gives readers a reason to turn pages. Will Rosa make John fall in love with her? Or will he marry Amy instead? Readers keep reading to find out if the character will succeed in solving this problem. ![]() Cinderella wants to go to the ball - but her stepmother wants to keep her scrubbing floors at home.The conflict of a story is a problem that the main character has to solve. But here are are some guidelines to help you write endings that will make readers want to come back for more.ġ) Effective endings show (or suggest) the result of the story's conflict. There are no black and white rules to follow. What makes a certain ending feel right? How can you write endings that leave your readers satisfied? It leaves them thinking and maybe talking about it long after they have finished reading.Ī story ending can be either happy or sad it can leave the reader uplifted or pensive or heartbroken. The ending of a story or novel forms readers' final impression of what they have read.Īn effective ending seals the readers' satisfaction with your piece. At the bottom of the page, you'll find links to more tips on story writing. How to Write Satisfying Story Endings Below are some tips on writing effective story endings.
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