Michala Woodruff

Ever close a book and melt into an “Awww”? Ever close a book and then realize all your nails are bitten, when you’re googling the second installment? Or ever close a book with a double-digit bill because of all the tissues you went through? Although all books end, readers do not always feel the same emotions when closing each book. Today, let’s talk about types of endings.

Cliffhanger

The Cliffhanger Ending is usually used in book series. It leaves the reader with questions about what is going to happen next. Although everything does not need to be resolved, the primary conflict (whether internal or external) should be. Every writer makes a central promise to the reader, and every writer makes multiple promises throughout the journey they lead the reader through. A cliffhanger ending should never leave the main premise unresolved but resolved the main premise and leave other promises unresolved so that the reader comes back for more.

When the main promise is resolved but the other promises are not, the next book becomes more intense. Suspense is a key factor in cliffhangers. Here are some ways to get suspense in a cliffhanger ending:

• Time limits
• Reveal or withhold information
• Main character comes face-to-face with danger
• Reveal a shocking truth that twists the course of the story
• Choose the promises you answer and the questions you create

Ambiguous

What does it mean? In an Ambiguous ending, the writer leaves the interpretation up to the reader. It is a mysterious call, sparking the reader to think about what really happened. All genres can use this ending including psychological thrillers, but this type of ending is not usually used in series.

The reader never gets a clear resolution of what happened. The writer must order the end to spark an emotion from the reader and let the reader do the work of imagination. This ending remains memorable. Often times readers will discuss it with each other.

The danger in ambiguous endings is when a writer fails to give enough clues. Here are some tips for giving enough clues throughout your mysterious story:

• Use strong imagery (the readers must clearly see it!)
• Balance which parts you resolve and leave unanswered
• Is the “what” ambiguous? Or the “how” ambiguous? Or “why”, “who”, etc. (This must be clear)

Full Circle

The beginning and the ending are the same place in a Full Circle Ending (aka Bookends). In this story, it is about the journey. I love this ending because it feels complete. Any genre can use it. It just depends on what the writer wants to highlight in the story.

Tips for going full circle:

• Although it is the same place as the beginning, the ending should differ a little because the character has grown in some way. Now, the meaning of the place changes.
• Show the external and internal story arc.
• The opening must be strong for the ending to make sense. The opening could be a piece of dialogue, location, theme, item, thought, etc.
• Choose what you want the readers to remember.

Twist/Unexpected

A twist ending or an unexpected ending is just that–a story that ends with an unexpected twist. It should not pop out of nowhere (even though it feels that way). The writer must sprinkle clues throughout the story so that at the end the reader says, “I should have known!” This ending is used in many fiction books.

The key here is shocking the reader. This comes with a risk. The twist ought to be unexpected, not confusing to the reader. If confusing, it becomes unsatisfactory. Here are some key factors:

• Foreshadow and drop hints in the middle of big paragraphs or scenes
• Misdirect the characters or use red herrings
• Know what the reader expects, then reverse it
• Study common tropes
• Stay consistent (a historical fiction turns sc-fi feels like a deception to the reader)

Redemption

The Redemption Ending is a classic ending in many genres, focusing on the character development after a big mistake. What makes the ending satisfying is that the reader saw the character at his/her worst and now witnesses the transformation of him/her doing the right thing. This ending centers around the main character.

A Redemption Ending is not a twist. The character’s transformation is a gradual thing, leading up to a big moment or decision. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is one of my favorite examples of a Redemption Ending. Here are a few things to remember:

• Whether people forgive the main character or not, be sure to address it.
• Connect the main character’s past to where he/she is today.
• Establish the motives and the lie the main character believes.
• The story is a test for the main character. The Redemption Ending is the final grade of the main character.
• The climax is an opportunity for the main character to ultimately change, go outside of his/her ways, do something selfless, etc.
• The moment of wrongdoing must weigh the same as the moment of redemption.
• Give a reason for them to change.

Conclusion

An ending is the cherry on top of a story. It is the final moment the readers will remember. It is why the readers picked up the book in the first place. The end is the reason for the journey.

We writers have so many fun and creative ways to wrap up any type of story. I hope this blog is a help to you. The biggest thing I hope you can take away is that in every story you write, you promise things to the readers. Every and any good ending keeps the main promise! Have fun.

We love to talk here! If you have any questions or extra insight in writing endings for books, please jot a message in the “Leave a reply” box or shoot me an email. Until next time…..Happy Writing!