THE END

Now is the time to write “THE END” at the bottom of your manuscript.

Typing those words is a huge accomplishment that makes you feel like a warrior. And you are a warrior, a writing warrior!

Seeing “The End” beneath your carefully crafted manuscript that you spent months, maybe even years, writing fills you with triumph. You conquered the goal of writing a book from beginning to end! CONGRATULATIONS!!!! You are a writer!

But after the excitement of finishing your book fades away, sadness comes over you because it is over. You created these characters with your mind, found them deep inside you, and brought them to life. Now the story is over and your characters are stuck within the pages of your book. Their lives may not have ended, but as the writer who gave birth to them, it certainly feels that way.

I WROTE A NOVEL AND SO CAN YOU!
Photo by Chrys Fey

Buck up! This doesn’t have to literally be the end of writing. You can start right now on a sequel or begin searching for ideas for another story. Since you have written one book, it will be easier to write another. And if you ever need guidance, these blogs are just a click away to give you assistance.

Fortunately, Write With Fey is not going to end either. As I am still writing the last book of my series, I am going to keep writing blogs with even more writing tips straight from my story. They will be coming soon! Until then...

Keep writing!

Keep dreaming!

Keep Believing!

I know I will!

                                                            THE END

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The Very Last Sentence

Just as the very first sentence is important to hook a reader, the very last sentence is equally important to satisfy the reader.

The sentence that ends your book is the last sentence that your readers read; it sticks with them long after they set the book down. If it is an exceptional sentence, it will cause your readers to wish the story hadn’t ended at all and could make them rush to pick up your next book if you’re writing a sequel. On the other hand, if the last sentence is horrible it can affect their overall opinion of your story.

Your entire book is literally riding on the last sentence!

In the first book of my series, the last sentence states the title of the book, bringing insight to its meaning. In the second book, I tricked my readers with a jaw-dropping sentence. In the third book, the last sentence is a triumphant one, but also another trick that unfolds in the next story. Finally, with the fourth and last book, which I am currently writing, the goal of the last sentence will be to draw the entire series to a much anticipated close.

Now think long and hard about the impression you want to make on your readers with your book. Use the last sentence to conquer this goal. And make it good!

SHARE: The secret behind your last sentence. What is its main purpose/goal?

Epilogue Or Not To Epilogue?

An epilogue is a piece of writing at the end of a work of literature or drama, usually used to bring closure to the work.

You can use an epilogue for one or two reasons.

The first is to explain to your readers that the story has indeed ended. As I mentioned in the previous blog (“Is Your Book Ready To End?”), you can either write a couple of paragraphs at the end of the last chapter or create another chapter to bring your book to a full close.

In the first book of my supernatural-thriller series, I added a chapter to the end of my book after the shocking and explosive climax. I used this chapter to continue the story after the BIG event. However, instead of writing another chapter, you can write an epilogue to do the same thing. This is ideal for romance stories to give a brief telling of everything that had happen after your two characters fell madly in love. For instance, they shared vows and have a family now with two children and one on the way.

The second reason for using an epilogue could be to trick your readers. Writers just love to do that, don’t we? I know I do!

In the second book of my series, I included an epilogue to bring that story to a close with an event that was long overdue for one of the characters, and was very heart warming, but I ended the epilogue with a twist that would make my readers curious and full of questions.

Using the trickery method for an epilogue is perfect for mysteries and thrillers. It is a teaser that could indicate that what the reader thought they know, or what we (the writers) made them believe, is not true. Perhaps the suspect the detective arrested was not the real murderer but an accomplice.

Look at your story and decide if it needs an epilogue. If it does, go for it!

QUESTION: Have you ever read a good epilogue to a book that has stuck with you ever since? (Don’t forget to mention the title and authors name!)

Is Your Book Ready To End?

Sometimes what you think will be the last chapter isn’t the end of your book. You can always add another chapter or indicate a scene break with the pound sign to write a page or two that will bring your book to an official close like this:

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Before you write the “THE END” at the bottom of your manuscript, you need to make sure that you really did write the end of your story.

If you have been writing a romance novel, tell your readers about your character's happily-ever-after. Do not just state that they lived happily for the rest of their lives. This is not a princess fairy tale! Did they get married? Is the woman pregnant? Do they have a horde of children that take after them in looks and personality? These are the things that romance readers want to know at the end of a book. If you don’t give it to them, they may be disappointed. 

If it has been a mystery novel you’ve been slaving over, punctuate the fact that the detective got the suspect and that the case is closed once and for all. Or if you’ve been dedicating your time to writing a thriller, relish in the protagonist’s victory over the evil antagonist. 

In conclusion, you want to let your readers know that life is good again. Your main character found love, defeated their enemy, and completed the goal they were aiming for.

Can you hear the sighs of relief? Can you hear the applause? That is the sound of happy readers. Bask in it! You’re allowed to.

QUESTION: Are you excited or nervous to write “THE END”?