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Story Endings: How to Write a Strong Resolution

Here's the latest from Jami Gold, Paranormal Author :

We’ve probably all seen dozens (or hundreds) of posts exploring how to begin our story. Many writing contests focus on our opening pages or even our first line. That makes sense, as we all know how important our story’s opening is for gaining readers.

However, as the saying goes, our story’s ending is what sells readers on our next book. Yet we don’t see contests helping us figure out how to write an emotional ending or a great final line....

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Published on December 19, 2019 05:30
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message 1: by Elizabeth (new)
Dec 20, 2019 09:34AM

Elizabeth Kral Jami, thank you for the post on how to measure the words needed for a satisfying resolution. The struggle to satisfy readers who say, ”too abrupt, ” is maddening. I am buying into it, and increasing the rationale for the ending, which will increase the word count of a 2,500-word short story that has been scrubbed and polished. Returned to the ”for edit” pile.
!


message 2: by Jami (new)
Dec 20, 2019 12:19PM

Jami Elizabeth wrote: "...which will increase the word count of a 2,500-word short story..."

Oh yes, short stories can be especially difficult! As you said, the word count is already so tight. Maybe another option is for you to look at how to add more emotion or closure to what's already there rather than fighting the overall word count too much. Good luck!


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Jami Gold, Paranormal Author

Jami Gold
Jami blogs about the craft of writing--from character development to revising--as well as the publishing industry, branding, social media, and the writing life.
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