Another way is to end it with a glimmer of hope. After all the horror, there's a small sign that things might get better. However, this hope should be tenuous, like a single ray of light in a pitch - black room filled with monsters. It adds a bit of relief but still keeps the overall horror tone intact.
Ending with a symbolic image can be very powerful. In a story about a person's struggle with depression, the final scene could be the character looking at a single flower growing through a crack in the pavement. This flower represents hope and new life, leaving the reader with an uplifting feeling and a deeper understanding of the character's journey.
An ending that ties up all the loose ends neatly is a classic approach. If there were sub - plots or mysteries throughout the story, resolving them all in the end gives the reader a feeling of satisfaction. Like in a mystery story where the identity of the thief was unknown, and at the end, all the clues are put together to reveal who it was.
Sure. A twist ending is quite common. This is when there is an unexpected turn at the end that changes the whole perspective of the story. For instance, the person you thought was the villain turns out to be the hero all along.
An unexpected twist ending can be great. Let's say the character has been trying to solve the mystery of the disappearances in the town. At the end, it turns out they were the cause all along, maybe due to a split personality they were unaware of. This flips the whole story on its head.
Start with a sense of foreboding. For instance, 'All day, a dark cloud had hung over the town, and as night fell, the feeling of impending doom grew stronger.'
The setting can play a crucial role in ending a gothic story. One way is to have the setting be consumed by the very darkness it has harbored. For instance, if the story is set in an old, decaying castle, the end could see the castle collapsing into ruins as the evil within it is finally unleashed. This gives a sense of finality and destruction related to the gothic setting.
You can end it with the ghost finding peace through the help of the living characters. The characters could perform a ritual that sends the ghost to a better place. It shows that there can be harmony between the living and the dead, and it gives a feeling of hope and kindness.
Yes. A happy ending where the good characters are rewarded is always good for a children's book. For example, the little girl who was kind to animals gets a magical pet as a reward. It makes children feel that being good has positive outcomes.
Start with a sense of foreboding. Just say something like 'He knew something was wrong the moment he stepped into the forest. The air was thick with an unspoken dread.' This makes the reader wonder what's going to happen next.
Start with a creepy discovery. For instance, a man exploring an old attic finds a locked box. When he finally manages to open it, he sees a strange object that gives off an evil aura. This discovery can launch the horror story.