Three alternatives for your story���s climax

At the Plotclimax of a story, the main character typically overcomes the problem that he spent much of the tale attempting to resolve. For example, if the story was about a treasure hunter obtaining a priceless, ancient artifact, then he would do so in the story���s penultimate scene. Following that achievement, the story essentially is over with only some loose ends to tie up.

Of course, the main character need not succeed.

In the climax, your main character also might fail. For example, the treasure hunter could realize the item he obtains actually is not the priceless, ancient artifact he sought. In a more literary work, the main character���s internal flaws (say his inability lie, which seems to the reader like a virtue) likely don���t allow him to succeed, which is the moral of the story for readers (One must be dishonest to achieve the goal the main character sought.).

Another alternative to succeeding is that the character might simply abandon his efforts to overcome the central problem. The treasure hunter could decide after several deaths and the loss of a close friendship that the cost of obtaining the artifact is too high and not worth it. Or in the case of our literary work, he might determine a position that can be obtained only through dishonesty simply is not worth holding.

In most stories, the main character succeeds, so have him fail or abandon his goal only after you���ve out a lot of thought into it. Most readers want the main character to succeed and not ending the story that way can lead to great dissatisfaction.

Professional Book Editor: Having your novel, short story or nonfiction manuscript proofread or edited before submitting it can prove invaluable. In an economic climate where you face heavy competition, your writing needs a second eye to give you the edge. I can provide that second eye.



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Published on December 14, 2015 07:01
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