Writing the Denouement

So the big, climactic chapters are done. I only have a little bit of resolving left to go. After I wrote the end of the  climactic chapter I thought to myself, what if I ended it here? It seemed like it could be cool, but I think I have a few more things to take care of before the story is done. I'll make sure my beta readers agree with me on that one.

Now comes the denouement. The falling action, the resolution. I sort of know what needs to happen, but I want to make sure it plays out right, and has the right feel about it. Any tips on getting the most out of your ending? How best to make it work?

I even know what the last line is going to be. I just need to get there. I want the emotions to be in the right place, but I also don't want to lose too much of the drive, or action of the story. What kinds of things happen at the end of your novels?

Sarah Allen