Writing a great ending is the key to leaving your readers satisfied. It’s the final impression you’ll leave on them, so it’s important to get it right. Whether you’re writing a novel, a blog post, or a report, the ending should tie up all loose ends, provide closure, and give your readers something to think about. Here are some tips for writing great endings that will keep your readers coming back for more.
Photo by hannah grace on Unsplash
Think about the beginning
One of the best ways to write a great ending is to think about the beginning. The ending should be the culmination of everything that has come before it. You should bring your story full circle by tying up loose ends and resolving conflicts. Think about the themes you introduced in the beginning and how you can bring them to a satisfying conclusion.
Leave your readers with something to think about
A great ending should leave your readers with something to think about. It should make them reflect on the story and its meaning. You can achieve this by leaving the ending open-ended, or by providing a twist that forces the reader to reevaluate everything that came before it. The key is to leave your readers feeling satisfied but also curious.
Avoid cliches
Cliches are a surefire way to ruin a great ending. They are predictable and uninspiring. Instead of relying on tired tropes, try to come up with something fresh and unexpected. Think about what your story is trying to say and how you can convey that in a unique way.
Consider your audience
When writing an ending, it’s important to consider your audience. What will they be expecting? What will satisfy them? If you’re writing a mystery, for example, your readers will be expecting a satisfying resolution to the mystery. If you’re writing a romance, your readers will be expecting a happy ending. Keep your audience in mind as you craft your ending.
Don’t rush it
One of the biggest mistakes writers make is rushing the ending. They try to tie up all the loose ends too quickly, leaving the reader feeling unsatisfied. Take your time with the ending. Give your readers a chance to say goodbye to the characters and reflect on the story. A great ending should feel like a natural conclusion, not a rushed afterthought.
Use foreshadowing
Foreshadowing is a great way to create a satisfying ending. By hinting at the ending throughout the story, you can create a sense of anticipation and build towards a satisfying conclusion. The key is to use foreshadowing sparingly. You don’t want to give away the ending too early, but you also don’t want it to feel like it came out of nowhere.
Stay true to your story
Above all else, a great ending should stay true to your story. Don’t try to force an ending that doesn’t make sense just because you think it will satisfy your readers. Your readers will be able to tell if the ending feels contrived. Instead, let the story guide you to a natural conclusion.
Consider the tone
The tone of your ending should match the tone of your story. If you’ve been writing a lighthearted comedy, a dark and depressing ending will feel out of place. Similarly, if you’ve been writing a serious drama, a cheesy, happy ending will feel contrived. Make sure your ending is tonally consistent with the rest of your story.
Test it out
Before you publish or submit your work, it’s a good idea to test out your ending on a small group of readers. Get feedback on whether the ending feels satisfying and whether it fits with the rest of the story. Use this feedback to refine your ending until it’s the best it can be.
Leave your readers wanting
One of the most important things to keep in mind when writing a great ending is to leave your readers wanting more. You want them to feel satisfied with the conclusion of the story, but also excited to see what comes next. This can be achieved by leaving some questions unanswered, or by introducing a new conflict that sets the stage for a sequel.
However, it’s important to strike a balance between leaving readers wanting more and providing closure to the story. You don’t want to leave too many loose ends, as that can leave readers feeling frustrated and unsatisfied. Instead, aim to leave just enough open-endedness to pique readers’ interest without leaving them hanging.
All said, writing a great ending is a crucial component of any piece of writing. By thinking about the beginning, leaving readers with something to think about, avoiding cliches, considering your audience, taking your time, using foreshadowing, staying true to your story, matching the tone, testing it out, and leaving readers wanting more, you can craft an ending that will leave your readers satisfied and eager for more of your work. So next time you’re writing, take some extra time to really nail the ending – it’s worth it!