Thread: Trouble with Endings

I have trouble coming up with good endings. I think it's something a lot of writers face if they start with a simple idea (which I usually start from). I leave the ending until the end. But should I just reverse the process and come up with an ending first? My only problem is that if I wait too long to write the story, I'm afraid I may lose the story altogether. (My best work is usually written fast and in one setting, but endings can still suck). Does anyone have any suggestions on how I might try and work this out? What can I do to come up with a strong ending and still have my juices flowing?

hello

Some people have trouble with beginnings, some in the fill, and some with the endings(like you) don't be so hard on yourself, there's no need to build blocks around your creativity. The more you write/read/critique, the better you'll find your endings become.

We all have our weaknesses to improve on, but seeing you are here, means you wish to strengthen them and that is a great first step

I agree with Sync! Endings can be intimidating (I struggle with them too), and I think it's because the end has only two or three chapters, (and maybe an epilogue) to try and tie up a 350+ page long event. It's not easy to do that. Not in the sense where you have trouble seeing it all the time, or not even due to a lack of a sense of direction; but sometimes, for me at least, it's trying to have the end do the rest of the book justice. Trying to cool things down after the larges climax in the pages. Trying to tie up loose ends, and maintain a realistic time-table for it. It sucks because usually so much stuff is skipped that could really make an ending work. (Like having to write, 'Weeks passed since the fall of Lord Leery, and Main Dude's son was able to recover from his sickness with notable speed, once the Herb Medicine was finished.) Okay...but if Main Dude's goal was all about his son, and now you have to speed over as much as possible for the sake of page-space...it sucks. It just sucks.

But nothing's set in stone, right? Keep pondering it, working at it as best as you can, and you'll find the secret code in the keyboard that unlocks exactly what will make you happy. I guarantee it. (Okay, I've seen too many Men's Warehouse commercials...) I'd suggest writing out scenes that show how your character's act/respond to whatever 'goals' they had in the story being completed. This might help inspire you to write in a twist of fate, or it could just give you some solid ground to walk on. Good luck!

The way I see it is the most important part is the beginning, so that's where I would focus most of my effort. If the reader doesn't get hooked right at the beginning, then what I do at the end is immaterial. It sounds to me like you find beginnings easier and endings harder, which is probably the best way round for it to be.

I can tell you straight out, that you'll probably spend more time on the beginning and ending of the story than on any other part. I wrote an article on this a while back, which helps illustrate why. Redraft, redraft, redraft. There is no limit to the amount of times you can change something - it's your story. Without seeing the ending that you've written, I can't offer practical advice apart from to persevere.

Thank you all very the helpful advice! Fiachra, now that I think about it, it was a pretty good ending. It was just getting there and having the main character realizing the solution to the problem, you know, presenting it in a way that is smart, intelligent, etc. But it does take time to come up with a well thought-out presentation. I usually don't start there when I get my ideas. I just have a concept (a what-if type situation). Coming up with a solution to the problem of a story is one of the hardest things to deal with as a storyteller (and at times fun and challenging). I would like to read your article if you can dig it up sometime. Thanks. Sync, thank you for the TLC. Yes, you've got the right idea when you say to loosen up. I think that's the thing with me. Perfectionism and wanting a final piece the moment I sit down to write is not going to be helpful. Still, the energy I'm inspired by is raw in the first moments and after too much time some of that can get lost, unless I re-ignite but that rarely happens. Reading more and critiquing would be a practical route for me to explore. It's been some time since I've gotten into that (I've critiqued my sister's work). But yes, inspiration is only part of writing. Thank you for the encouragement! Sapphire, agree with trying to tie up loose ends at times. It's kind of hard to get back into the mood, especially when life throws you a curve. Getting interrupted throws me off. A system like you suggested looks like a good way to improve. As Sync mentions, looking at other work is helpful. I have done this but only with scifi and fantasy television/film, and it is very helpful in one way. But I haven't exactly taken the time to look at writing. Bruce, thank you. I will keep that in mind. I am a strong beginner. Looks like I have a foothold

Everyone, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and suggestions. This is definitely good to know and worth a try.