If you have set a word count for your novel, and you look like you will exceed it, don’t panic. Ignore the word count. You can prune the word count from every chapter of your novel. Don’t short-change the ending to do that.
Even if you are within your word count don’t rush in the excitement to cross the finish line.
The sense of an ending can be a pitfall for want-to-be authors. Many famous traditional and contemporary authors have failed at the last hurdle. There are many examples where novels would have been acclaimed as literary fiction, if only, if the author had taken as much care about the ending as they did in the earlier chapters.
Authors should give the same care, attention and effort to the ending as their superhuman efforts throughout their novel.
There is no point cramming information into a few pages and ruining the ending.
The hypnotic effect of sticking rigidly to a word count can also undermine an ending. (Do not worry about the word count. If it is necessary, cut earlier passages of text throughout your novel.) Another error is too rush the ending, or rush the ending in the excitement too cross the finishing line. (Don’t do it). After all the hard work that went into the earlier chapters, why rush now and ruin the outcome?
An ending should comprise the single-most-important ‘Landmark Event’ that your novel is about, and what it has been leading up too.
Also, do not spring a surprise on the reader that has not in some way been referred to earlier in the novel. An example in a 'WhoDunnit' would be saying the Butler did it, when there are no vague clues to his guilt in any of the previous chapters. You win, but you will have cheated the reader.
You may need more than one chapter to bring the plot and storyline to a successful conclusion.
Also the final chapter or chapters should consist of a summing up of the protagonists growth and journey throughout the novel. What has he or she learnt? What does the future hole for the protagonist, his or her beloved, and the remaining characters?
I am not a fan of epilogues. It would be better to write a sequel.
A good ending to a novel leaves the reader with more questions than answers and wants you to read on.
Depends on the genre. But I prefer that the story ends on a juicy note without leaving space for any speculation!! :)
Personally ... I don't like sequels because I like all stories to be complete. So I would expect all loose ends tied up.
A few tips on ending a novel.
If you have set a word count for your novel, and you look like you will exceed it, don’t panic. Ignore the word count. You can prune the word count from every chapter of your novel. Don’t short-change the ending to do that.
Even if you are within your word count don’t rush in the excitement to cross the finish line.
The sense of an ending can be a pitfall for want-to-be authors. Many famous traditional and contemporary authors have failed at the last hurdle. There are many examples where novels would have been acclaimed as literary fiction, if only, if the author had taken as much care about the ending as they did in the earlier chapters.
Authors should give the same care, attention and effort to the ending as their superhuman efforts throughout their novel.
There is no point cramming information into a few pages and ruining the ending.
The hypnotic effect of sticking rigidly to a word count can also undermine an ending. (Do not worry about the word count. If it is necessary, cut earlier passages of text throughout your novel.) Another error is too rush the ending, or rush the ending in the excitement too cross the finishing line. (Don’t do it). After all the hard work that went into the earlier chapters, why rush now and ruin the outcome?
An ending should comprise the single-most-important ‘Landmark Event’ that your novel is about, and what it has been leading up too.
Also, do not spring a surprise on the reader that has not in some way been referred to earlier in the novel. An example in a 'WhoDunnit' would be saying the Butler did it, when there are no vague clues to his guilt in any of the previous chapters. You win, but you will have cheated the reader.
You may need more than one chapter to bring the plot and storyline to a successful conclusion.
Also the final chapter or chapters should consist of a summing up of the protagonists growth and journey throughout the novel. What has he or she learnt? What does the future hole for the protagonist, his or her beloved, and the remaining characters?
I am not a fan of epilogues. It would be better to write a sequel.
A good ending to a novel leaves the reader with more questions than answers and wants you to read on.
I hope that helps.
Good luck.