good ways to end a horror story

Ending with a sense of unresolved mystery can be effective too. Maybe the source of the horror is never fully explained, like a strange noise in the attic that just stops, leaving the characters and the reader in a state of unease, wondering what it really was. This makes the horror linger in the reader's mind long after they've finished the story.

One way is to have the protagonist defeat the evil force. For example, if it's a haunted house story, the main character could find the source of the haunting, like an old cursed object, and destroy it. This gives a sense of victory and closure.

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.

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.

One good way is to end with a sense of resolution. For example, in a mystery story, the detective finally reveals who the culprit is and how the crime was committed. This gives the reader a feeling of closure. Another way is with a moral or lesson. If it's a fable, the end could show what the characters learned from their experiences, like 'And so the little hare learned that overconfidence can lead to defeat.' A third way could be an open - ended finish that makes the reader think. Maybe the main character is about to embark on a new adventure, leaving the reader to wonder what will happen next.

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.

You can end it with a false sense of security. Show the characters thinking they are safe, but then give a last - minute scare. For example, the family has moved away from the haunted place and is having a normal dinner when suddenly the lights go out and a strange noise is heard.

One good way is to start with an eerie setting. For example, describe a dark, fog - covered forest at midnight, with strange noises coming from the depths. The isolation and mystery of such a place can immediately set a spooky mood.

One good way is to start with an eerie setting. For example, describe a desolate old house on a stormy night. The howling wind and the creaking of the old boards can immediately set a spooky mood.

One good way is with a final, tragic death. For example, the protagonist, who has been haunted by the dark secrets of the old mansion throughout the story, finally succumbs to the evil forces within it. This gives a sense of inescapable doom which is typical in gothic stories.