Strategies for Concluding a Brief Narrative
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In the "Writing Articles" section, guest contributor Sara Kopeczky shares her insights on crafting compelling short story endings. Kopeczky, an English and Italian teacher living in Croatia, is an aspiring author who has published poetry and short fiction in various magazines, collections, and online platforms. She is also the editor of The Split Mind, a magazine dedicated to literature and culture.
According to Kopeczky, a successful short story ending should balance closure with intrigue. Here are seven key principles to keep in mind:
- Resolve the Central Conflict: To provide a sense of completion and satisfaction, it's essential to resolve the main tension or conflict in the story. This gives readers a feeling of closure and ties up loose ends.
- Tie to Character Arc: The ending should reflect the protagonist's development throughout the story. Show how they have changed or what choice defines their new path. This anchors the ending emotionally and thematically.
- End With Impact: Make the final line or scene memorable by ending on a strong note—this could be a revealing line of dialogue, a poignant image, or a dramatic twist that ties back to the story’s themes.
- Use Suspense or a Question: If appropriate, end with an unresolved question or a hint of what’s to come. Techniques include foreshadowing, cliffhangers, or a subtle plot twist. This keeps readers thinking and engaged even after finishing.
- Provide Emotional and Practical Closure: Address both what happens emotionally to the characters and any practical aftermath resulting from the story events. This ensures the ending feels complete and believable.
- Avoid Overusing Ambiguity or Twists: While these can be effective, they are challenging and often require careful setup to avoid confusing or frustrating readers. If used, make sure they feel earned and clear rather than overly dramatic or vague.
- Prefer Dialogue to Exposition: Ending a scene or story with a line of dialogue can give the characters the final voice and add richness or complexity to the conclusion.
In summary, an effective short story ending balances closure with intrigue, resolves the main conflict, reflects the protagonist’s growth, and leaves a strong emotional or thematic impression. It can be direct or subtly suggestive, but it should always feel earned and satisfying in the context of the story.
These principles are supported by writing experts who emphasize closure, character arc alignment, impactful final lines, and carefully timed suspense or questions. By following these guidelines, writers can create short stories that resonate with readers and leave a lasting impact.
In her article, Sara Kopeczky, a literature and culture enthusiast, emphasizes the significance of a well-crafted home in a short story ending, just as one would thoughtfully design a perfect home-and-garden setting for a serene lifestyle. A short story's conclusion, she suggests, should provide definite resolution (balance) while piquing the reader's curiosity (garden of intrigue).
