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.
Another positive way to end a ghost story is if the ghost is actually an angel in disguise. At the end, it reveals its true form and purpose, which is to help the main character through a difficult time. This gives a big surprise and also a positive spin to the whole ghost story concept.
A great way to end on a positive note is to show a character achieving their goal. If your story is about a student studying hard for an exam, you can end it with 'She got the highest score in the class, and her hard work paid off. She was over the moon with joy.'
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.
One good way is to have the main character wake up and realize it was all a dream. It gives a sense of relief and also a bit of a twist. For example, the character has been haunted by a ghost throughout the story, facing all kinds of terrifying situations, and then suddenly they open their eyes in their own warm bed, with the morning sun shining through the window.
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.
Another way is through the restoration of relationships. Maybe there were conflicts between friends or family members throughout the story, but at the end, they reconcile and are closer than ever. This gives a warm and positive feeling to the ending. Also, a character could find self - acceptance and inner peace, which is also a very positive way to end a story.
A good way could be starting with a character's strange feeling. 'As she walked into the empty school building, an unexplainable chill ran down her spine. It was as if she was being watched, but there was no one in sight.' This creates a sense of unease.
One good way is with a sudden disappearance of the ghost. For example, just as the main character is about to confront the ghost, it vanishes into thin air, leaving behind only a cold breeze. This creates a sense of mystery and unease.
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.