best ways to end a short story

One good way is with a twist. For example, the character who seemed like the hero all along turns out to be the villain in the end. It makes the reader re - evaluate everything they've just read. This kind of ending is unexpected and can leave a strong impression.

You could have a sudden twist ending that shocks the readers. For example, revealing a secret the main character had been hiding the whole time.

A good way to end a story is to tie up all the loose ends. Make sure all the sub - plots are resolved. For instance, if there was a friendship in the story that had some issues, show how those issues were overcome at the end. You can also end a story on a positive note, like the hero achieving their goal and being rewarded for their efforts. This gives the reader a feeling of hope and satisfaction. Sometimes, ending with a cliffhanger can work too, especially if you plan to write a sequel, but it should be used sparingly as it can leave some readers frustrated if not done right.

One way is with a twist ending. For example, in 'The Gift of the Magi', the couple's sacrifices for each other turn out to be ironically related. Another way is a happy ending where the main character achieves their goal, like in most fairy tales. A sad ending can also be powerful, leaving the reader with a sense of melancholy and thoughtfulness.

Dialogue in a short story can be ended with a sudden change of topic. Say, they were discussing their future plans and then one of them says, 'Forget all that. Look at the beautiful sunset.' This unexpected shift gives a sense of closure to the dialogue. Another approach is to use silence. After a significant exchange, the characters just stop talking and the story moves on, like 'Their eyes met, words seemed unnecessary, and the silence filled the room as the story continued.' Also, a character's realization can end the dialogue, for example, 'As they talked, she suddenly realized, "I don't need this." And with that, the conversation ceased.'

One way is with a twist ending. For example, the reader might think the character is about to achieve their goal, but then something unexpected happens that completely changes the outcome. Another way is with a resolution. This means all the problems or conflicts in the story are neatly solved. For instance, in a story about a detective trying to solve a crime, at the end the detective catches the criminal and justice is served. The third way could be an open - ended conclusion. Here, the story doesn't really have a definite end. It leaves the reader thinking and imagining what might happen next, like in a story that ends with a character starting a new journey without any indication of how it will turn out.

One way is with a twist. For example, the character who seemed to be the hero turns out to be the villain all along. This surprises the reader and makes them rethink the whole story.

Ending with a moment of self - realization can be great. Suppose a character has been very selfish throughout the story. At the end, they see how their actions have affected others and make a decision to change. This gives a feeling of growth and hope. You can write something like 'She looked at the mess she had made of people's lives and for the first time, she understood. She would be different from now on.'

Ending with a moment of self - discovery for the main character can be great. Let's say in a story about a lost young person, at the end, they finally figure out who they are and what they want in life. It gives a sense of closure and growth. It could be something like the character looking at their reflection and smiling, knowing they are on the right path now.

One great way is with a sudden twist. For example, the main character who thought they had escaped the horror realizes they are actually still trapped in a never - ending nightmare. It gives the reader a shock and makes them re - think the whole story.