Mastering the Ending of Your Book
Your readers have stuck with you throughout your book. They’re delighted by your work and they can’t wait to see how it all ends. This is crunch time for an author. It’s the moment when you’ll make the biggest impact on a reader.
If you choose an ending that’s weak and boring, your reader may not remember your book or your name after they finish. If you choose an ending that doesn’t fit, your reader may end up angry and refuse to read more of your books.
The ending of your book needs to be strong and conclusive. It should cement your name and your words in the minds of readers. Here’s how to finish strong:
Try Ending with a Teaser
One popular way to end a book is to use a teaser ending. This is when the author intentionally leaves out vital information so readers feel compelled to pick up the next book. This can work well for fiction authors who have mapped out an entire series. But it’s not a good choice for non-fiction books, as readers will feel cheated.
Go Back to the Beginning
Sometimes, the best way to implement the process of ending your book is to remind the reader of how far the story’s come. For example, you book focuses on family legacies.
You opened the book with the hero’s father committing a violent crime and going to prison. When you end the book, the hero is choosing a life of crime, just like his father.
The Sad Fact of Ending Your Book
Not every book needs to end on a positive note. In fact, it can be powerful to have an ending that’s sad or unsettling. However, don’t give your book a sad ending just because you want to.
Your sad ending should feel natural, like the story is unfolding just the way it should. If you force a sad ending, readers are likely to feel cheated and will be angry with you. When you plan to end on a sad note, use foreshadowing so readers can sense early on that things won’t end well.
The Happily Ever After Ending
Sometimes, the right ending for a book is a happy one. You or your characters have triumphed over obstacles to get to their happy moment. It’s easy to gloss over the moment and hurriedly finish up your book.
But slow down and give your characters time to appreciate where they are. Readers will savor this moment and finish your work on a happy note. This makes them more likely to pick up your next book and start reading it!
Writing a book isn’t an easy feat. But it can be done. Just keep at it and you’ll one day find yourself happily typing the words ‘The End’.