A few tips for writers on building a satisfying end to a story.

Think of the end of your project, not as a separate portion, but as the summation and resolution of everything you have written along the way. If you have done your homework, and laid your foundation correctly, i. e., character profiles, plot structure, and extensive outline, then your ending will take care of itself.

Remember that all plots are comprised of, and revolve around, CAUSE AND EFFECT. If Jane breaks up with Johnny on his way to work, he’s likely to be distracted by it, he might not see the red light... so he has a fender-bender, which makes him late for work, which makes the boss mad. The boss fires him... he has to sell the diamond he bought for Jane to pay his rent, and keep the lights on... so, when Jane comes crawling back, she doesn’t get the ring.

CAUSE AND EFFECT, CAUSE AND EFFECT. The secret to a good read is planning. Make your initial problem/conflict, around which your story revolves large enough to carry you through your chosen format. The more ms. pages needed, the larger the plot, and the more complex the subplots.

1. Lay ground work. (Beginning/set-up)
2. Heighten tension, conflict, story deepens while building steadily to the crisis. (Middle)
3. Final Climax. It all comes together... this is when it looks like the protagonists’ lives are coming apart, and the reader should be involved in some serious nail-biting.
4. Resolution. The wrap up. Solve their problems, bring protagonists together, and don’t leave any loose ends dangling. (The End.)

That’s about it. The best advice I can give you, after the above is that writing is like the Nike commercial. Just do it! is often the best way to learn.