If there is one thing that annoys a reader more than anything, it is a weak and inconclusive story ending. This is because a story ending is the moment of truth. It is the time where readers will get their long delayed gratification.
It is also the time where loose ends will be tied and everything about your book will come together. Which is why as a writer, it is imperative that you know how to end your novel the right way.
Here are some great tips on how to end a novel strong:
- Hype up the ending
Readers don’t want stories that have abrupt and unexpected endings. This is why you should make an effort to hype up your ending as much as possible. A few chapters before your book’s ending you should already place the events and the characters as strategically as possible.
This will not only create suspense and anticipation, it will also make the ending feel more organic and earned. All in all, the more hyped up your ending the more satisfying it will be.
- Avoid adding new characters or plotlines
When ending a novel, it is never a good idea to add new characters or plotlines in the mix. Seeing as you are about to end your novel, there would be very little time to properly introduce a new character or explain a new plotline.
And seeing as the reader’s main attention is geared towards the climax of the novel, these new characters and plotlines would serve as nothing more than a distraction from the novel’s ending.
- Give your ending as much emotional depth as possible
Seeing as your readers are reaching the end of your book, it would be safe to assume that they have developed an emotional attachment to your story. Which is why you should not disappoint them.
Make the climax as emotionally stirring as possible. Make sure that at the end of the novel, your writing will be able to get some kind of emotional response from your readers.
- Show off your main character’s growth
Your main character is the focal point of the story. He or she is the character that your readers will be exposed to the most. So it makes sense that your readers will have a certain fondness or even love for your main character.
So at the end of your novel, it is imperative that you show how much your main character has grown throughout the entire story. At the end of your novel, take the time to describe the many changes in your character’s personality, demeanor and appearance.
It will not only make your readers even more attached to your main character, it will also give them a sense of fulfillment at seeing how much the main character has grown throughout the story.
- Stay away from deus ex machina endings
Yet another thing that you should never use in your endings are deus ex machina clichés. These types of endings are considered too convenient and unlikely that it would seem the event only happened by an act of God. Deus ex Machina endings are usually despised by readers.
This is because it is considered lazy writing and connotes a lack of imagination and effort on the part of the writer. Readers, want the main character to accomplish something through their own efforts and merit. So when you are writing the ending for your story, you should really avoid deus ex machina endings like the plague.
- Provide as much closure to your readers as possible
If you want to finish your novel strong, one of, if not the most important things you should remember is that you provide as much closure to your readers as possible. Nothing infuriates a reader more than loose ends or unresolved issues. So before you end your novel make sure that all your characters and the plot points are given satisfying endings.
Don’t leave any plot points hanging, and don’t leave your readers guessing. It is also a good idea to end things on a positive note. The ending can also be somewhat bittersweet, just as long as there is a balance and the ending not too grim or depressing.
All in all, the ending of your book can mean the difference between your book failing or succeeding. So take your time and make your novel’s ending as memorable as possible.
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