As a writer, crafting an ending that leaves a lasting impression on your readers can be just as important as the rest of your story. It’s the last opportunity to make an impact, to give your readers something to think about long after they’ve finished the last page. In this article, we will go through some tips on how to create endings that will resonate with your audience.

Choosing the Right Ending 🎉

Choosing the right ending can make or break a story. You want the reader to feel satisfied but not necessarily have all the loose ends tied up neatly in a bow. The first step in creating a memorable ending is to know what ending you want to create. Do you want to have a happy ending where everything works out for the protagonist? Or do you want to create a bittersweet ending where the protagonist achieves their goal but at a great cost?

When choosing your ending, consider the theme of your story. A story with a theme about sacrifice might have a different ending than a story about redemption. The ending should fit the theme of the story. Think about the mood you want to create and the message you want to convey.

A person standing at a fork in the road, trying to decide which direction to take

Subverting Expectations 🤯

One way to create a memorable ending is to subvert the reader’s expectations. If a reader expects one thing to happen but something else entirely happens, it can make the ending feel more impactful. However, it’s important not to lead the reader on too much as this can feel like a betrayal.

A reader will feel betrayed if nothing in the story led them to believe that the ending was possible. For example, if your story is a romance novel, it would not be a good idea to suddenly reveal that the whole thing was just a dream.

A surprise party, with the person being celebrated completely taken aback

Leaving Room for Interpretation 🤔

One of the best ways to create a memorable ending is to leave room for interpretation. This method forces the reader to think about the story and come up with their conclusion, rather than having everything spelled out for them.

This type of ending is often used in literary fiction and can add a layer of complexity to the story. Leaving room for interpretation can be done by having the ending be somewhat ambiguous, or by having the story end in a way that the reader doesn’t expect.

A person looking at a painting and contemplating its meaning

Bringing the Story Full Circle 🌀

Bringing your story full circle means ending the story in a way that mirrors the beginning. This technique can create a sense of closure and symmetry that can be very satisfying for readers.

Bringing the story full circle is often done by having the protagonist end up in a similar situation to the one they were in at the beginning of the story. However, this time, they are equipped with the knowledge and experience they have gained throughout the story.

A person standing at the end of a journey, looking out into the distance

Conclusion ✅

In conclusion, crafting a memorable ending can be a challenging task, but with these tips, you can create an ending that will leave a lasting impression on your readers. Remember to choose the right ending, subvert expectations, leave room for interpretation, and bring the story full circle. With these techniques, you can create an ending that will make your readers think long after they’ve finished your story.

A person typing on a laptop, putting the finishing touches on their story