The Challenge of a Satisfying Ending

Like a catchy first line or hook at the end of a chapter, the narrative’s ending needs to be just right to satisfy the reader, bring closure, or leave room for a sequel.

Should the ending be ambiguous or definitive? Should justice be served for a narrative to have meaning to the reader? Should all the questions raised throughout the story culminate in a neatly tied-up bow? Life is not neat. Should a story’s ending be neat? An ending carries with it the burden of satisfaction, and sometimes some ambiguity. There are many questions to think about as you bring your story to its appropriate conclusion. What are some considerations for crafting a solid ending that is in keeping with the rest of your story?

Consider your genre of writing. Do you, like Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express, which is a whodunnit, resolve the case — the killer is caught and justice is served? Or is it like Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl with its surprise twist ending, which is unexpected but not contrived. Along the way, you know that these characters are not nice. Perhaps this leaves room for a sequel? Surely a solved case leads to solving future cases with some of the same characters in a follow-up novel?

What about ambiguous endings that leave the reader with some questions, perhaps long after the back jacket closes on the final page? My Cousin Rachel, by Daphne du Maurier, is one such crime novel that leaves the reader questioning whether the main character's love interest was a murderous villain or an innocent, wronged woman. Similarly, Tana French's In the Woods is another popular choice with its bittersweet ending — problem solved, but at what cost? Like French, Dennis Lehane’s Mystic River is also bittersweet — although the mystery is solved, the characters are left damaged, perhaps irreparably so.

Sudden or abrupt endings that completely shock the reader leave them feeling cheated or betrayed. Think deus ex machina. This is a plot device, which means “god from the machine”. These endings feel contrived and do not follow on from what has preceded them or align with the narrative. Perhaps, in searching for a tidy resolution, the savvy reader knows that the ending is unsatisfying. Examples are Lord of the Flies, where a naval officer rescues the boys, and conveniently, a virus wins the day in War of the Worlds. 

The challenge of a satisfying ending is further magnified by the inherent difficulty of managing reader expectations. You can’t please everyone, but if you are satisfied with your ending, the majority of readers will be too. Of course, there will be others who would have hoped for a different outcome.

Build up to the ending, leave breadcrumbs along the way to avoid reader dismay, and wrap it up so it is holistic and fits the entire narrative. The ending carries significant weight and is an intrinsic part of creative writing, often determining the reader's perception of the work.