Need help ending a story

[UltraDramatic]

I've been working on my first submission for a long time now, and I think I'm doing pretty well, but I'm having trouble figuring out how to end the story. It's about a real experience I had, and I remember that I never wanted it to end . . . which is making the story itself difficult to bring to a halt.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Z

 

[Svenskaflicka]

I usually never ends my story as it was really ending, more like... "OK, you stay here while I get us something cold to drink, and when I get back, we'll continue..."

How you considered chopping your story off ½ a paragraph too soon? It could make the story very powerful...

 

[Gabriel_Lee]

A story does not necessarily need to end in a complete rounded sense: for instance, it can bring about change or introduce a new dimension to life, or maybe a new perspective.

But, obviously though you hoped it might never end, it did. So how did it? Or would you rather end with something like:

... it was a timeless moment; one which I hoped would never end. But of course, it did; and yet, in another sense it still remains with me perfectly preserved in a way which will never die and allows me to return, when I need to, as I have just now done. The moment was, in many ways, far more real, far more alive than the ending of it and endures still.

Which, of course, considering that I do not have the detail, might be entirely inappropriate.

 

[Gabriel_Lee]

Posted by Svenskaflicka
How you considered chopping your story off ½ a paragraph too soon? It could make the story very powerful...

Hmmm ... Svenskaflicka sneaked that in while I was posting my suggestion. It's more cost effective than my suggestions and she could be right!

If you've told the story that you want to tell, don't spoil it by adding unnecessary words.

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Hmmm ... Svenskaflicka sneaked that in while I was posting my suggestion. It's more cost effective than my suggestions and she could be right!

If you've told the story that you want to tell, don't spoil it by adding unnecessary words.

"Kill Your Darlings!"

 

[TheEarl]

Just try and tie up the loose ends in one concluding paragraph while blethering about what the future might hold. At least that's what I do.

Seriously: I sometimes have my main character soliliquising to him/herself about what the future might hold, whether it's going to be just a casual fuck, whether thye're going to live happily ever after, or whether they're just going to live in the moment, possibly fucking again when she wakes up, etc.

The Earl

 

[Guest]

I've been working on my first submission for a long time now, and I think I'm doing pretty well, but I'm having trouble figuring out how to end the story. It's about a real experience I had, and I remember that I never wanted it to end . . . which is making the story itself difficult to bring to a halt.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Z

_____

Story endings are always an interesting part of writing. I'm glad you're spending some time on it--it is worth your while, I think. I like a good ending to a story, one that will provide the proper termination, leaving a message, a feeling, a certain satisfaction for you as the writer and hopefully for the reader, as well.

For me, what I do is first try to end it in a dull thud. Nothing fancy. Just bring a termination to the story in some fashion. End it! Some way, some how!

Then I go back and read the last page or so to come up with ideas for a "better" ending. Force yourself (there is ALWAYS a better way to end it). It's an iterative process, but keep trying to improve. With each "different" trial at an ending, you may find additional improvements, or for me, a twist (which I am fond of).

Don't be afraid to experiment, try, edit, experiment again, try again, and edit again.

When the story ending feels good to you, and you get the sense of "satisfaction", you've done it. Congratulations.

Best of luck.

 

[MathGirl]

Fin

Anyone have any suggestions?Z

Dear UD,
I've always felt that a snappy closing line is a great way to round off a good story. One of my favorites is:

"I cammed in her fase and kiked down the dor on the way out."

Helpfully,
MG

 

[Guest]

Re: Fin

Dear UD,
I've always felt that a snappy closing line is a great way to round off a good story. One of my favorites is:

"I cammed in her fase and kiked down the dor on the way out."

Helpfully,
MG

_____

ROTFLMAO