Most people have, at some stage, had the experience of being let down at the end of a novel. They have spent several enjoyable hours, or even days, on a novel with a unique plot and intriguing characters; there has been plenty of conflict to keep them turning pages. Then they reach the home stretch: the last few pages of the novel – and realise with a huge sense of disappointment that the author has dropped the ball.
The ending is a fizzer, or it drags on far too long, or it ends too abruptly. For whatever reason, the reader feels let down.
There are many reasons why the ending may disappoint, but the following four 'duds' are amongst the most common. Any author who recognises one as the ending of their work in progress would be well advised to do further brainstorming. The last thing any editor needs is a story with a wek ending or one that is riddled with plot cliches.
1. The Story Ending That Is Too Predictable or "Too Hollywood"
The Hollywood Ending is so well-known (and so universally hated) that it really requires little explanation. Some examples: the teenage ugly duckling undergoes an amazing transformation and not only attracts the best-looking guy but is victorious in a confrontation with the class bullies and gets the lead role in the school play. Or... the guy not only beats the bad guys, but gets to run the company, win the girl, and make millions.
Readers are tired of this kind of ending. Besides being far too 'neat', it's just not believable. Sure, readers want to see the main character win through, but they also want to see them suffering a little in the process... and preferably not to get everything they want at the end. The main character should be left with some kind of permanent consequence: a personal loss; a severe injury; a regret for some action they've had to take that has hurt someone else.
As far as predictability is concerned, the author should look for opportunities to build in some surprises, even if readers "know" that the main character will win the day. Add a twist, or make achieving the goal such a challenge that the reader keeps turning pages to find out exactly how the main character will overcome each obstacle.
2. The Story Ending That Fizzles Out
Can there be much worse than a story that simply fizzles out? An ending is a 'fizzer' when the story moves from a promising opening that predicts plenty of conflict and challenges, to a final chapter (or paragraph, in a short story) that makes the reader feel that the reward - or the solution to the mystery - was not worth the build-up. For example: A children's short story featuring a "ghost" that turns out to be nothing more than a flapping sheet.
3. The Story Ending That Goes on Too Long
This is often the result when the author doesn't want to let go of the characters. Once the story question has been answered and all loose ends tied up, it's time for the curtains to close and the author to stop writing! If the author feels it's absolutely necessary, the issue of 'what they did next' can be solved by adding an epilogue... but sometimes this can feel like an anti-climax.
It's better to leave readers with a bittersweet feeling of regret that the novel has finished and the characters have bowed out, than to let it go on too long. (Everyone knows how painful it is when a popular television series stays around too long; viewers lose interest in the characters and plotlines. Readers have the same reaction to a novel that doesn't know when to quit.)
4. The Story That Ends Too Abruptly.
The opposite of the book that drags on too long is the novel that ends too abruptly. Why does this happen? Sometimes it's because the author simply has no idea how to write the last page. The story is over and the narrative just needs to be 'rounded off' – but how? Anything the writer can think of has a 'tacked on' feel to it. The conclusion ends up being something trite like "Jack and Helen looked at each other, and Helen gave a tremulous laugh. Hand in hand, they walked away from the rubble that had once been her house. [End of story.]
Authors who are too jaded to come up with something better than this needs to get some distance from the story, then go back later and write a new ending. A writer should never send a story with an ending like this to an editor.
The ending of a novel can help to sell the book just as much as the beginning. Furthermore, the book's ending, if done well, will leave readers satisfied and looking forward to the next book. And that's how a writing career is built – story plot by story plot, and ending by ending!
Marg McAlister - Marg McAlister has tried on a good many writer's hats in her career, and has enjoyed wearing most of them. Her writing achievements ...
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