All good things must come to an end, a truism that surely applies to every story ever written.

I want to discuss an aspect of writing that some – okay, far too many – writers seem not to take seriously enough. I’m not sure the legion of internet know-it-alls has even considered it. I’m referring to the end of the story. A good ending is just as important as having that hook at the beginning, but advice dispensed by “experts” often goes on at great length regarding matters such as the hook and keeping the middle of the tale from sagging, with little or nothing said at all about the ending.

Proof that story endings can fall short of the mark can be seen in a complaint I see all too often in reviews and book discussions. The gist of this complaint is that the story just stopped. Sometimes it’s abrupt, as if the writer simply had enough, and wanted to be done with this story. In other cases, the story just seems to fade into a few loose ends and assumptions, as if the writer wasn’t at all sure how to say “The End.” The perception of an ending being rushed is also a common complaint, a sign that the writer perhaps has some sense of how important endings can be, and tried to create that memorable last impression with a loud bang and a flourish. Some writers actually get away with this – but many do not.

Now, some of these complaints can be dismissed as a reader’s misperception of the author’s style and intentions. The most carefully crafted story ending won’t please every reader, and there are those who are never entirely satisfied by any end result. But I’ve read too many stories over the years – and the problem is especially common in short fiction –  that left me with my own complaints regarding the end of the tale, to dismiss all such comments as personal fussiness.

From my own experience as a reader, what I most often see beneath a lame story ending – whether the end comes quickly with a bang or trails off quietly – is a lack of emotional content. The resolution of the tale seems to have little or no effect on the characters who have just been put through whatever the writer contrived. Everyone just seems to walk away from what has happened, and even if they’re riding off into the metaphorical sunset it’s just because they happened to be headed that way anyway. It’s a sure sign that the writer ran out of story, and arbitrarily wrapped things up. Instead of an emotionally satisfying ending, the story seems somehow incomplete. This is especially disappointing when the characters were otherwise engaging and relatable. You’ve invested in them emotionally, and then they just sort of say, “Okay, that’s done. Nothing more to see here.” Whether this is done abruptly or in a sort of slow fade makes little difference.

That hook at the beginning is indispensable. Without it, why would the reader read on? But if the ending leaves the reader flat, why would they want to read your next book? The hook won’t help you, if they don’t come back for more.

So, as a writer just starting out, how do you avoid inflicting a lame ending on your readers? There’s no set of rules to guide you, step-by-step, to a fine and emotionally satisfying conclusion to a story. Instead, think about the stories you’ve read. Did you close the book with the feeling that the time spent was worth it? Or did you just set the book aside without a second thought? Pay attention to the books that linger in your thoughts when the reading is done, especially if it was the final scene or bit of dialog that lingers. Think about those stories. Reread those endings. What did the author do? How did the author get across to you, the reader, how the end of the story’s events felt to the characters? This isn’t to say you should copy things you see in the work of others, or even imitate them. Be aware of endings, in their many manifestations, when you read. Then sit down with that awareness of how it’s done when you write your own story. Read your ending aloud and ask yourself how it felt. And then just keep it up, reading and writing; both experiences can give you what you need to succeed at this (and any other) aspect of writing – if you persist. Along the way, pay careful attention to comments from your editor or beta readers.

It’s often said that to be an effective writer, you absolutely must be a reader. I think Stephen King got it exactly right when he said, “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time – or the tools – to write. Simple as that.” The repeated experience of how a good ending feels for you, as a reader, is the surest route to being able to write such an ending yourself.