It is said that the end of a matter is greater than its beginning and so is the case in the world of literature. As an author you want the reader not only to be attracted to your book at the beginning, but to remain with it in their mind for days to come. The way to achieve this is to write a compelling story and, more importantly, craft a thought-provoking ending.

Realism is one of the key elements to consider when coming up with an ending for your book. This means that the conclusion should not feel forced or unrealistic. The storyline should naturally flow into the ending. The drastic change in the behavior of key characters at the end or forcing a happy ending makes the close of your story disappointing to the reader.

As you write your story, take note of every character and scene and make sure you conclude on each. Do not leave any of them unaccounted for. Every subplot should add to the main plot, otherwise you may confuse the reader at the end. Unnecessary characters and plot twists should be done away with to facilitate the effective culmination of your book. Every query you raise within the book should be answered within the story or by the end of the book. It is also important to note the conflict with the most impact on the storyline and build your ending surrounding this particular conflict.

Still, you can consider coming up with the end of your story before its beginning. It is easier to write a story when you know its conclusion. Drawing the goal of your book goes a long way in quickening your writing process and matching your plot with your intended end. It keeps you focused on what you want the reader to grasp by reading your book, and this also fortifies the message that your story contains.

Despite the fact that sad endings make a greater impact on the reader and keep them thinking about your book for longer than good endings, they require greater skill to pull off. Not many readers prefer sad endings, which makes their execution even more complicated. Even so, sad endings have their place in the literary world and can be most appropriate for particular stories if done well. Further, instead of doing a completely sad ending for your story, you can balance between a happy and a sad ending. In many cases, this equilibrium ensures that the ending not only remains realistic, but also pleasing and fulfilling.

Lastly, think about the final line of your book. This is likely to be what the reader will take away so you need to give it great thought. Think of it as your final punch line. It should guide the reader into contemplation and make them pause a minute to take it all in; the beginning, the climax, and the end. Make it inspiring or reflective and, if possible, move away from common last lines that will add no unique edge to your story.