Come Up with the Right
Ending
We’ve talked a lot about leads,
but endings are important, too.
Have you ever watched a movie
or TV show that started out
strong but had a lousy ending?
Have you ever read a book that
did that?
Think about it: the ending is the
last thing that will linger in the
ear and mind of the reader
when he or she has finished the
story.
You want to leave them with an
ending that’s right for what you
have written.
Let’s read a book together, and
think about the following
questions:
• What did you think about this book?
• What did you think about the ending?
• Were you surprised?
There are many ways to come
up with the right ending…
You can have a big splashy
ending.
You can have a funny ending.
You can have a sad ending.
You can have a surprise ending.
You can have a circular ending.
You can end with a
joke,
fact,
or quote.
Whatever ending you choose
should fit your story.
That’s the challenge I’m giving
you today: try to write an ending
that’s right for your piece.
Today’s Quiz:
1) Is the lead or the ending the most
important part of your writing? Provide
reasons for your answer.
Conference Questions:
• Have you ever thought about your ending?
• What ending would fit best with the story
you’re working on?