J4450: Endings

Endings.

Writing endings is one of the hardest things to do. When done correctly, they perfectly wrap up a story and leave readers feeling satisfied. When done incorrectly, they come off as sappy and leave readers with an incomplete feeling. Also, they can be nonexistent (which is the worst).

I have some experience with this last one. I wrote a story earlier this semester that won’t be published until Monday, but the important part about it for this post is the ending. Well, there really isn’t one. It just kind of peters out. I mean, it’s a good story (if I do say so myself), but a good ending wouldn’t have hurt.

To achieve that good ending, a lot of strategery must go into it. Planning is a must so it doesn’t come off as sappy or cliche. One of the best examples was Seth Davis’ recent profile on Indiana Hoosier Cody Zeller for Sports Illustrated.

The profile starts out with Zeller’s nickname (Big Simple) and how he got it (he’s a fundamentally sound basketball player — he keeps things simple). The profile ends, you guessed it, with Zeller’s nickname (“Keep it simple, Big Simple”). Nice.

One of the nicest endings I’ve ever read was from the book Get Shorty by Elmore Leonard. I don’t remember it exactly, but I’ll do my best. The main character, Chili Palmer, a member of the mob, goes to Hollywood to do some business and write a script.

Dark comedy ensues. At the end, Chili is having a conversation with the his producer about the script and says something to the effect of “Who knew this ending thing was so hard?” or “How the hell are you supposed to end it?” Clever, Elmore, clever.

The line perfectly wraps up the plot of the novel while also ending the novel itself on a high note. That’s what great endings can do — leave a reader satisfied with your work.

The end.