Ending on the Right Note

By Joanne Guidoccio

Last summer,  I read several books with unsatisfying endings. In one case, I wondered if the novel had been worth my time and attention. The author had started with a compelling opening, the characters were well-developed, and each chapter ended on a suspenseful note.

Where did she go wrong?

Two-thirds of the way through the book, she introduced a character who had no connection to any of the other characters. In fact, I would suggest she literally pulled him out of thin air so she could pin the murder on him.

Afterward, I started to wonder about the conclusions to my own books. Had I made an impact on the reader and encouraged her to buy the next book in the series? Or had I disappointed her with a contrived or unsatisfactory ending?

I reread my editor’s comments and checked with several beta readers who reassured me that I had ended on the right note. I also reread notes from workshops and seminars. Here are five tips to consider when writing that final chapter:

1. Decide on an ending that is appropriate for your genre. If you are writing a thriller or murder mystery, a strong build-up with plausible suspects and fast-paced action should lead to the resolution of major plot points. Romance readers expect an HEA (Happily ever after) or HFN (Happily for now) ending. If you are not comfortable with that expectation, write the novel as women’s fiction. With fantasy and science fiction, endings that leave room for the imagination can be very satisfying. Literary fiction tends to have endings featuring all degrees of resolution.

2. Refrain from moralizing or delivering a hard-hitting lesson to make a point or teach a lesson. Instead, let your characters reveal what they have learned through their actions and situations.

3. Avoid improbable endings. Some authors get tangled up in plot lines and introduce a fantastical or outlandish event such as the sudden appearance of a ghost with homicidal tendencies or a dream sequence that negates the entire storyline. These endings work only if groundwork has appropriately been established throughout the book. For example, missing items and unexplained events could justify the introduction of a ghost or other supernatural being.

4. Structure books in series such that your reader will want to continue reading. Decide which subplots you intend to wrap up and which you will leave dangling to create anticipation for the next book in the series. You may also wish to introduce a complication (appearance of an old flame, job offer or firing, marriage proposal) that needs to be further developed.

5. Pay particular attention to the final sentence, image, or line of dialogue. A vague closing line can cast a shadow over the entire novel while a powerful one will linger in memory.

Here are my favorite closing lines:

“After all, tomorrow is another day.” Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

“He loved Big Brother.” 1984 by George Orwell

“It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.” A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

“We sat there for a long time, till the crowd around us thinned, till the sun shifted and the light changed. Till we felt our eyes could meet again, without the tears.” Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

“Very few castaways can claim to have survived so long at seas as Mr. Patel, and none in the company of an adult Bengal tiger.” Life of Pi by Yann Martel

What is your most memorable closing line?

 

 

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16 Comments Add yours

  1. ConnieBerry says:

    I love those ending lines! So often we enthuse about wonderful opening lines in novels. The ending line(s) are every bit as important, although in a different way. Thanks for an interesting article.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hi Connie,We spend so much time on that first chapter. We need to give equal time to the ending. Thanks for dropping by. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Vicki says:

    I end my romantic comedy mystery on a somber note, one where the heroine puts on her big girl panties. I’ve only had one reviewer hate it. The others understood. Since I write a series, the line does segue into the next book. It just works for my works.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hi Vicki, Showing a character’s growth trumps HEA and possibly even HFN. Rock on!! 🙂

      Like

  3. Kathryn Jane says:

    Such a good topic, Joanne! I sometimes finish writing a book but don’t feel done until I’ve finished agonizing over the closing line. It’s as important to me as the opening line, and often they tie together.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks Kathryn! I’ve rewritten that last chapter almost as many times as the first. 🙂

      Like

  4. Reblogged this on Jacquie Biggar-USA Today Best-selling author and commented:

    An interesting post on ending your book to meet a reader’s expectations by Joanne Guidoccio​ on The Sisterhood of Suspense​ #blog

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks for reblogging, Jacquie 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Enjoyed this post, Joanne. I hate when a book ends like an afterthought. I want to feel satisfied when I close that last page, I guess 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Jacquie, I’m still lamenting the time I spent on those novels last summer. I’ll think twice before picking up future books by those authors. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  6. These are helpful tips, Joanne, thank you. I am a newer writer, so I’ll be sure to keep them in mind!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Welcome Priscilla! I’m glad you found the post helpful. Best of luck with your writing. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Terrific article, Joanne. One that makes you think. Some of the problem with endings can be avoided if an author knows where the book is going and does plotting before getting to the ending. I’ve heard so many authors say that they didn’t know who the killer was until they reached the last chapter. That’s when they find themselves bringing in a new character close to the end like in your example.

    Liked by 2 people

  8. Excellent points, Grace. You have presented a great argument for plotting before starting to write. While I’m a linear pantser, I do plan the first three chapters and the final one. I can’t imagine not knowing the identity of the killer until the last chapter. Have a good weekend! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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