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

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?

Types of Endings

Resolved

Unresolved

Expanded

Twist

Ambiguous

Tied

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

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

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

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

Example: Dead People, Bruce Willis

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

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

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

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