Let your pen become the conduit for your innermost musings.
Hemingway famously said he wrote the ending of “A Farewell to Arms” 39 times before he was satisfied. Wouldn’t you love to know what those other 38 drafts were like? Somehow, though I feel like they would all be variations on a gutting, tragic ending.
Strategy:
The end of a story is where everything culminates in a burst of action, emotion, and resolution. This exercise focuses on introspection, flash-forwards, revelations, character traits, and visionary scenes to help you bring your story to a satisfying close. Think of it as the final act in a play, where every line and movement builds towards the grand finale. Embrace the heightened drama, the deep character insights, and the explosive revelations to make your ending as powerful as possible.
Instructions:
Pick an Ending: Pick a story that is nearing its end and write a short recap of the story so far. Then use the following writing prompts to help drive the plot to its thrilling conclusion.
Introspection about a Character: Create a scene where your protagonist engages in deep introspection as they prepare for the final confrontation. This is the 'girding of the loins' moment, where they reflect on their growth, their relationships, and their purpose. Use this scene to highlight the character's development and to set the stage for the climax.
Flash Forward about a Resolution: Write a flash forward scene that gives a glimpse of the story's resolution. This could be a moment of triumph, a bittersweet ending, or a hint at the characters' future lives. Use this flash forward to create anticipation for the climax and to suggest the impact the story's events will have on the characters and their world.
Revelation about an Advance: Create a dialogue scene during the climax where a critical revelation is made. This could be a secret exposed, a betrayal uncovered, or a hidden motive revealed. Use the characters' words and reactions to heighten the tension and to shift the power dynamics as the story reaches its peak.
Segue about a Trait: Write a scene where the protagonist's key trait comes into sharp focus during a critical moment, serving as a segue from despair to action. This trait, whether physical or an aspect of their personality should propel them through their darkest moment and towards the climax.
Vision about an Aura: As your characters prepare for the final confrontation, describe a scene infused with the character's aura that they are projecting. Use a visionary style to show how the place might change depending on the outcome, setting the tone for the impending battle or resolution.
Tags: plot development, climax, ending, introspection, flash forward, revelation, character trait, visionary, character development, narrative resolution
Category: Generating Material
Example:
Pick an Ending: In the story "Silent Shadows," detective Laura Hunt has been tracking a serial killer who leaves cryptic messages at each crime scene. After months of chasing leads and dealing with personal demons, Laura is closing in on the killer's hideout for a final confrontation.
Introspection about a Character:
Laura sat in her car outside the dilapidated warehouse, her fingers drumming nervously on the steering wheel. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, reflecting on the journey that had brought her here. The sleepless nights, the faces of the victims, and the cryptic notes that haunted her dreams. She thought about her mentor, who had taught her never to give up, and the promise she made to herself to bring justice to the families of the victims. She opened her eyes, a steely resolve setting in. It was time.
Flash Forward about a Resolution:
In a brief flash forward, Laura envisioned a press conference outside the police station. The chief of police commended her bravery, the media buzzed with questions, and the families of the victims stood together, holding hands. Laura saw herself, standing quietly at the back, watching the scene unfold.
Revelation about an Advance:
As Laura crept through the dimly lit corridors of the warehouse, she heard a voice echoing through the empty halls. "I knew you'd come, Detective Hunt." The voice sent chills down her spine. She followed the sound and found herself face-to-face with the killer, James Keller, in a small, cluttered room. "You think you can stop me?" Keller taunted, his eyes gleaming with madness.
Laura's grip tightened on her gun. "It's over, Keller. You can't run anymore." Keller laughed.
"Run? No, Detective, this is all part of the plan. Did you really think you were chasing me? I've been leading you here the whole time." The revelation hit Laura like a punch to the gut. Keller had been orchestrating this final showdown, using her as a pawn in his twisted game.
Segue about a Trait:
Cornered and out of options, Laura's analytical mind kicked into high gear. She remembered her mentor's advice: "Trust your instincts, but never stop thinking." Her key trait—her sharp, analytical mind—had always guided her through tough cases. She scanned the room, noting the exits, Keller's stance, and the environment. Suddenly, she noticed a loose pipe overhead. Using quick thinking, she aimed her gun and shot at the pipe, causing it to burst and release a torrent of steam.
Vision about an Aura:
As Laura prepared for the final confrontation, she projected an aura of unyielding determination. The warehouse, a dark and foreboding place, seemed to pulse with the tension of the impending clash. After tonight, this warehouse would no longer be a lair of shadows but a place where ordinary people could work. She saw the warehouse bathed in the cold light of dawn, the darkness dispelled, and the echoes of fear replaced by a welcoming silence.