Are loose ends in your story a good thing or a bad thing? The very name seems to indicate they’re a bad thing. After all, what else do we do with loose ends but tie them up? But the problem with tying up all our loose ends too tightly is that we often end up […]
December 11, 2013 by 21 Comments Novel EndingsHow Many Characters Should Be in Your Story’s Climax?
Your story’s Climax is the moment everything has been building toward—the final test, the big showdown, the emotional payoff. It’s where your characters converge, tensions explode, and all the plot threads tie together (or unravel spectacularly). Whether it’s a battle, a confrontation, or a quiet but intense decision, the Climax needs to feel inevitable and […]
October 16, 2013 by 16 Comments Novel EndingsThe Characteristic Moment Belongs at the End of Your Book Too
Most writers are familiar with the idea that the beginning of a story should feature the protagonist in a Characteristic Moment. The idea is to immediately show readers what your protagonist is all about. Even more importantly, you want to hook them with that character. You want readers to see this character in all his […]
July 28, 2013 by Novel Endings5 Ways to Write a Killer Plot Twist
I love plot twists. Mistaken identities, sneaky plans, sleight of hand—it’s all grand. Nothing makes me happier than a story that pulls the rug out from under me and shows me that my perception of the story is nowhere near as cool as the reality. On the flipside, nothing annoys me more than a story […]
February 13, 2013 by 22 Comments Novel EndingsThe Biggest Problem With Trick Endings
Most readers love trick endings. How long have people been talking about The Sting or The Sixth Sense? And what author among us wouldn’t like to replicate that kind of excitement and memorability? But there is a big problem with trick endings. When they work, they’re amazing. When they don’t work, they make readers grumpy and […]
October 28, 2012 by 33 Comments Novel Endings10 Stories With (Brilliant) Loose Ends
The ending of your story is even more important than its beginning. If the beginning flops, readers will set the book aside and never think about it again. But if the ending fails, your book (and you) will live in infamy in the deep, dark dungeon of reader disdain. No pressure, right? Creating the perfect […]
September 23, 2012 by 26 Comments Beginning Your BookWhy Story Beginnings and Endings Must Be Linked
The ending of your story is a loooong way away from the beginning. Tens of thousands (or even hundreds of thousands) of words is an extraordinary journey. Contemplating the ending from the vantage point of the beginning is like looking up at the top of Mt. Everest and imagining yourself—in all your windblown, frostbitten glory—standing […]
September 12, 2012 by 41 Comments Novel EndingsIs the Cliffhanger Ending Overrated?
Writers often hear they need to end their scenes, chapters, and even books—if they’re part of a series—with cliffhangers that will force readers to choose between either reading on to find out what happens… or dying slowly and painfully of curiosity. But is this really good storytelling? When it comes to scenes and chapters, we […]
March 21, 2012 by 22 Comments Novel EndingsDo You Know the Two Ingredients in a Perfect Book Ending?
Whether your story is a tragedy, a comedy, a “happily ever after” jaunt, or any variety and combination thereof, the one thing you want it to be is resonant. You want readers to close the book with a feeling of satisfaction. Whether they’re laughing, crying, or just thoughtful, you want them to be able to give their heads a […]
January 18, 2012 by 30 Comments Novel EndingsA Must-Know Tip for Writing Slam-Bang Finales
The ending of your novel is make or break territory for your readers. If you’ve convinced them to keep reading this far, you need to have something extra special in store for them come the end. If you disappoint readers in your story’s Climax, you risk losing those readers forever. So how can you dazzle […]
