Troy Lambert
Types of Endings
What is the Denouement?
A Return to the Ordinary World – but Changed
A Hint about What Adventure Lies Ahead (for a Series)
An Opportunity to Set Up the Next Story
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How Does Your Story End?
Is It Tied or Resolved?
Is There More Story to Tell in That World?
Are There Spinoff Stories That Might Work as a Series?
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Types of Endings
Resolved
Unresolved
Expanded
Twist
Ambiguous
Tied
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Resolved
Happy or Sad – but No Loose Ends
Romance and Fairy Tales: Happily Ever After
The Gunslinger (Steven King) – Happily (for Now)
Noir: The Saw Series
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Unresolved
The Cliff-Hanger – Can be Frustrating for the Reader, but Can Work in a Series if Done Well
Classic Example: Harry Potter Series
Bad Example: Cliffhanger with Sylvester Stallone
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Expanded
A Large Epilogue or Denouement that Expands the World (Common id Fantasy and Sci-Fi)
Good Example: Wheel of Time (Brandon Sanderson)
Bad Example: Remo Williams Series
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Twist
A Surprise that Should have Been Apparent in Retrospect
(Be Sure You Have the Right Clues Planted along the Way – Mysteries and Thrillers)
Good Example: Agatha Christie Mysteries
Bad Example: Game of Thrones, Season 8
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Example: Dead People, Bruce Willis
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Ambiguous
Allows the Reader to Draw Their Own Conclusions
Must be Done Skillfully
Good Examples: Great Expectations, The Giver
Bad Examples: Never Make It to Publications
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Tied
Ends Back at the Beginning
(Hero’s Journey)
Good Examples: The Hobbit; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Bad Examples: The Fast and Furious Movies
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Example: Lion King
Ending Type: Resolved
Simba Returns to the Throne
The Pride Land is Restored
Simba Gets Married to Nala and Has a Child to Carry on the Line
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Example: Hunger Games
Ending: ??? (Could be Several)
Katniss and Peeta re Welcomed as Victors
But There’s a Hint of Tension to Come
They Embark on a Tour of Districts
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