Overview: The ending or resolution of your story is where everything comes together. It’s your chance to provide closure, answer any lingering questions, and show how the main character’s journey concludes. A well-crafted ending doesn’t have to be a happy one, but it should feel definite and satisfying, leaving readers with a sense of completion. In this article, we’ll explore how to plan the ending or resolution of your story and create a conclusion that feels meaningful and impactful.
Why the Resolution Matters
The resolution is the final part of your story, where the conflict is resolved, and the character’s journey comes to an end. It’s important to give readers a clear sense of what happened in the end or to provide enough information for them to draw their own conclusions. Whether your story has a happy ending or not, the resolution should feel like a natural outcome of the events that came before, providing closure and tying up loose ends.
Key Considerations When Planning the Resolution
1. What Happens at the End of Your Story?
Think about how your story concludes. Does the main character achieve their goal, overcome their fears, or learn an important lesson? Or do they face a different outcome that still provides closure? Determine how the story ends and what this means for the character and the overall theme.
- Decide what happens at the end, whether the character succeeds, fails, or finds an unexpected outcome.
- Ensure the ending ties back to the character’s journey, reflecting their growth or change.
Questions to Ask:
- What happens at the end of my story?
- How does the resolution reflect the character’s journey and growth?
2. Does the Resolution Provide Closure?
A good resolution should provide a sense of closure, even if it’s not a happy ending. Readers should know what happened in the end or be able to draw their own conclusions easily. Make sure the resolution wraps up any loose ends and feels like a natural conclusion to the story.
- Provide closure by resolving the main conflict, showing how the character’s journey concludes.
- Ensure there are no unanswered questions that would leave readers confused or unsatisfied.
Questions to Ask:
- Does the resolution provide closure and wrap up the story’s main conflict?
- Are there any loose ends or unanswered questions that need to be addressed?
3. Does the Ending Support the Story’s Theme or Message?
The ending should reinforce the theme or central message of the story. Consider how the resolution highlights the theme, whether it’s through the character’s final decision, the outcome of the conflict, or the lesson learned.
- Use the resolution to emphasize the theme or central truth of the story.
- Show how the character’s journey and the story’s outcome reflect the overall message.
Questions to Ask:
- How does the ending support or reinforce the story’s theme?
- What message or truth does the resolution convey?
4. Is the Ending Satisfying for Readers?
The ending should feel satisfying, even if it’s not a traditional happy ending. Consider how readers will feel at the end of the story and whether the resolution gives them a sense of completion. A satisfying ending should feel earned and resonate with readers.
- Create an ending that feels satisfying, whether it’s happy, sad, or somewhere in between.
- Consider how the ending will leave readers feeling, and ensure it aligns with the tone and message of the story.
Questions to Ask:
- Is the ending satisfying and does it feel earned?
- How will readers feel at the end of the story?
How to Plan the Ending or Resolution of Your Story
Step 1: Decide How the Story Will End
Determine what happens at the end of your story. Think about whether the main character achieves their goal, what lesson they learn, or how their journey concludes. This will give you a clear direction for the resolution.
Step 2: Wrap Up the Main Conflict
Make sure the main conflict or problem is resolved in the resolution. Show how the character overcomes (or fails to overcome) the obstacle, and how this affects the final outcome of the story.
Step 3: Provide Closure and Reinforce the Theme
Ensure that the resolution provides closure and ties back to the story’s theme or central truth. Highlight how the character’s journey reflects the message or lesson you want readers to take away.
Step 4: Create a Satisfying Conclusion
Craft an ending that feels satisfying and meaningful. Whether the ending is happy or bittersweet, make sure it resonates with readers and gives them a sense of completion.
Final Notes:
Planning the ending or resolution of your story is key to creating a powerful and impactful narrative. By providing closure, resolving the main conflict, and supporting the story’s theme, you’ll create a conclusion that feels definite and satisfying. Use this guide to plan your story’s ending and leave readers with a sense of closure and understanding.
