By Chris Olsen

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When you’ve been writing a novel for months or years and the end is finally in sight, it can be tempting to rush. But doing so can negate all your hard work. It could even be detrimental to the success of your book.

The ending is the payoff for readers. If it’s rushed it can create confusion. It might result in the reader not fully understanding what happened or how the characters have changed. It may give readers the impression they’ve missed something and have them backtracking and double-checking pages.

An abrupt conclusion doesn’t allow readers to process events or experience a meaningful release of emotions. Without a complete experience, they may feel unfulfilled. Worse, they may feel like they were cheated or wasted their time. And it can lead to negative reviews and poor book sales.

Endings that are satisfying and memorable inspire readers to recommend your book and read your future work. If you sense you’re pushing forward too quickly, here are five ways to slow down your ending to satisfy readers:

Treat the End With Care

Give the ending as much attention and care as you gave the beginning and middle. Take a break from writing if you need to reset. Work on shifting your mindset from “get it done” to “get it right.”

Focus on Structure

Ensure the length and pacing at the end are balanced with the beginning. Reread earlier chapters to refresh your memory about how quickly scenes moved, the level of detail provided, the amount of dialogue included, etc.

Approach It With Intention

Transition from the climax to a slower, more thoughtful pace for the resolution. Identify scenes where more information could be beneficial to the reader and expand them with details and dialogue.

Demonstrate the Transformation

Show how the main characters have evolved and what they’ve learned. If it’s not clear, write a separate transformation statement for your protagonist. Go back and add critical details to your final chapters.

Plan (and Deliver) the Payoff

Be sure to deliver the emotional and thematic resolution readers long for. Many authors identify the payoff before they start writing. If you haven’t yet, devote some time to thinking it through. When readers have finished your book, how do you want them to feel? What do you want them to believe? What action do you hope they’ll take?

For more author tips, free resources for writers, and invitations to virtual meetups and workshops, join Women Writers Connect.

About the Author

Chris Olsen is a book designer, publisher, educator and the author of “Whyography: Building a Brand Fueled by Purpose.” The founder of Publish Her and Publish Her Story, Chris has helped thousands of women tell their stories and publish their books.

About Publish Her

Publish Her is a female-founded publisher dedicated to educating authors and elevating the words, writing and stories of women. We are passionate about amplifying the voices of women of color, women with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community. We aim to make publishing an attainable, exciting and collaborative process for all.