How to End A Story

You know your opening should hook readers and your middle must keep them turning the pages. Now you need to write an ending that will turn a reader into a fan!

This video Discusses:
[00:55] Why Writing a Good Ending Matters
[01:27] How to End a Novel
[01:37] 1. Keep the End in Sight the Whole Way
[03:47] 2. The End Means The End
[05:56] 3. Keep Your Hero On Stage
[06:58] 6 Types of Novel Endings
[07:00] 1. The Closed or Resolved Ending
[07:28] 2. The Open or Unresolved Ending
[08:54] 3. The Ambiguous Ending
[09:33] 4. The Surprise or Twist Ending
[10:06] 5. The Closed Circle
[10:32] 6. The Expanded Ending, a.k.a., the Epilogue
[11:23] Final Considerations When Ending A Novel

[kaskae]

"When do you know it's been rewritten enough? When you've gone from making it better to merely making it different."

Great advice.

[DrBob]

Thank you Jerry! I enrolled in your Dreamer to Author program and finished my first book. Thank you for sharing your God given talents.

[cjpreach]

In another video, Jerry says, "When you have more than one ending, chose the more emotional one." Good advice. As I was typing the final scene on the first draft of my current novel, both my Lead and I were crying. I won't be changing that ending.

[Edgar_Sotomayor]

There's so many gems in this that it's almost blinding

[TheMockatiel]

0:08 oh interesting! 😀 first time seeing a video wholly dedicated to ENDING a story. I’m really looking forward to this content and also highly amused because…

Recently, in my 50s I was called to write the one book I’ve always wanted to read but have never seen. It poured out of me like an avalanche from nowhere. The idea, setting, plot, themes and characters arrived fully formed all at once - it’s to the point my old hand cannot keep up with my excited brain and get it down in an organized manner - let alone think how to make it stop!


My feed is full of bright young authors with a shockingly sophisticated understanding of - 3act structures, character design, world building, genre, plot, tension, and a 1000 free planning templates and sheets to go with the 100 pieces they just sliced and expanded my passion project into … and buried me in the process 😩

- none of them go into detail about when to end the story, how to end, or ways to critique it though.
“have a strong ending in mind at the start so you know where you’re heading” 🤷🏻

Then along comes the old guy with “if you wanna do that I can tell ya how?” - so for a minute I was like SHEESH… does it take so long to write a book only older folk know how to finish 😂😂😂🎉

Lets hope I can get there before my 80’s.
*settles in* 👀 🍿

[cvent]

I can't tell you the number of stories (not sure I'd call them novels) I've written that have gone nowhere. I admire your writing and so am super excited to have found your blog. My big issues are developing bad guys and then reconciling the middle. I plan on watching all your writing videos and then get writing. Thank you!

[SpringNotes]

Thank you. This applies to movies and series as well. So many I've seen with bad endings, that it ruined the whole experience of watching and being invested 😑

[timothyshaw]

Chicken Soup for the Left Behind Amish Vampire; now there’s a book I would love to read/guilty pleasure. 😂

[OtakuRealist]

I haven't watched all of your videos, but I can tell that you are very knowledgeable. More than picking the right word, you know so much that you have many examples to show for and you only conveniently pick the best among many. Thank you. I hope I can write as you do. Best regards.

[DanielERodriguezMusic]

Thank you, sir. I am a musician, with a few completed albums, but I find your advice to be great wisdom for the general creative process. I am a storyteller deep down; so much so, my wife is nudging me to do something with words. Tonight, while I was looking for advice on word count, writing by hand like (Bibi) vs a manual typewriter, etc., I found your youtube channel! The Left Behind writer! Dallas Jenkins' dad! The Chosen! So great! Blessings!

[StefanBorglycke]

I don't even remember HOW I found you (ca 2 years ago), but I'm always thankful and inspired after hearing your thoughts on writing.... This one just snapped me right back once again, I'm not near the endgame yet of any of my latest ideas, but I'm movivated to get there soon for the gripping feel of actually closing it

[ThenlyMasterbater]

I can’t believe all this advice is free

[brittanydosdall]

I am 13 years old and I made an adult novel and had trouble coming up with an ending. This was very helpful!

[Nbrolfiwriting]

Thank you, Jerry! I like the full-circle ending. I'm going to use that one.

[bookworm_of_heaven]

"all youre getting from publishers is fifty shades of wait and see" xD xD thats a great line

[martinsadl]

Thank you so much for your helpful guidelines. Particularly the 6 different endings. As well as being a very successful novelist, you have a great speaking voice. Your vocabulary and delivery, in which listeners understand exactly what you're saying, is exceptional. There's calm confidence in the way you speak. I'm reminded of President Biden 😊.

[mantistoboggan]

Finally someone who gets it. Ambiguous endings are so overrated. I want a story that feels complete, not something that feels "literary".

[doodlesanddrawing]

Thank you for the advice. I really like your way of teaching. It really helps me with my stories.

[thecrazycelt]

Thank you for this. I think most of us would like to write a book with an ending that is transformational. Being patient isn't always easy, but critical. Thanks again.

[ConfusedSpaceCapsule-nubc]

What a philanthropic writer. Thank you for sharing the wisdom you've gained