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Guy Hogan

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Flash Fiction Writing Tips
by Guy Hogan   
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Flash Fiction / Pittsburgh / Blogging

Although the beginning (the setup) of a short story may be the most important part of the story (if a reader doesn't get past the first few paragraphs it doesn't matter how good the rest of the story is) the ending (the payoff) is very important, too. The ending should bring resolution of the central conflict which makes up the middle (the buildup) of the story.

As far as I can tell there are three kinds of endings: epiphany, change in direction and summation. An epiphany happens when everything that's gone before in the story brings someone to a profound insight. Change in direction is when everything that's gone before makes things look like the story is going to turn out one way but it turns out another way. And summation means the ending throws the rest of the story into relief, making what has happened understandable.

I would say "Snow" has a change in direction ending; "Water" a change in direction ending; "Pittsburgh Confidential" an epiphany ending; "Pittsburgh (1983)" a change in direction ending; "Meeting Rachel's Family" a summation ending and "Cathedral of Learning" has a summation ending.

The great thing about the three endings is that they overlap. An ending doesn't have to be all of this or that. The important thing is the ending must be "believable." Keep writing. I know I will. Guy--
          


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Reviewed on January 28, 2007
Useful advice and guidanance. I am about to distill about 10 pages into a 'compressed' short story. Reading the types of endings is new and helpful to me. I have taken note.

Regards
Daibhidh

Reviewed by Michael Kersting
Reviewed on January 27, 2007
Hi Guy, a useful article for beginners ,and I agree with your insights. I use all three in my stories with an added "Twist"
Have a good one.
Mike.

Reviewed by Georg Mateos
Reviewed on January 27, 2007
Hi Guy, and there is the cliff-hanger, that end promising that the book, story, article or what you have, has an unbilical cord conecting the words just said to the one you are going to.
Sometimes, authors do play games with the head of his/her readers, twisting here and there the fact to say "don't try to second guess me"
Just as a foot note.
Appreciating your guidance. Thanks.

Reviewed by Susan Sonnen
Reviewed on January 26, 2007
this is very useful to me. I'd like to see more articles such as this.

Susan

Reviewed by Frances Lynn
Reviewed on January 26, 2007
Useful, educational, refreshing, logical and thanks for the clairification!

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