I read somewhere that the beginning of the novel makes the sale, but the power of the climax sells the next. The climax is the pivotal point of the novel. It is the moment when the decisive event occurs, the turning point that all of the episodes lead up to. And, what follows next? The resolution. It is imperative that your development, (the episodes that lead to the climax), all move forward with a reasonable chain of events. The main character should stay in his/her character type. An about-face at any point in the development, or even in the climax, will throw the reader off-balance and add too much confusion at a time when the resolution should be the next step.

So, how does the writer achieve a satisfactory climax? Well, as you approach this part in your novel, you should ask yourself the following questions and be honest and thorough with your answers:

1. What kind of story are you telling? Is it a comedy, a tragedy, a happily-ever-after?

2. What is the proposed outcome for your main character?

Having written out, and being diligent in following, an outline is a key factor in achieving an effective climax. You must retain clarity in your mind as to what your story is about from start to finish. And, remember that, if you have strayed from your outline, then this is a good time to update it. Jot down ideas for a possible climax and ending, keeping in mind that although the climax is the moment when the decisive event occurs, the plot development is a process that occurs throughout the novel.

Another technique used by many writers is to write the climax first. Even just one sentence will do. It can be a summary of the climax, or you can write the entire climax. Then write the rest of the story, leading up to the climax.

But how much comes before the climax? You may wonder where the best place is to place the climax. It’s really not about placement, but rather about how one progresses towards this exciting peak in the story and how one presents the startling revelations that lead to the resolution. There was a time when authors planned the development to arrive at its climax in the middle of the book, leaving the remainder of the story as a lengthy, downhill slope. However, more recent novels keep the readers in suspense for a longer period of time. Some even hold the climax until the very end of the book, and very little time is given to resolution. At the least, try to hold it until at least the 2/3 mark. When your readers know the outcome of the story, it’s harder to keep them interested.

The climax is the pivotal point of the story. Some say that it’s the climax that makes a story into a really great story. If you don’t have a good climax, then the story will fall flat. A muddled or boring climax will kill the story entirely. A good climax, however, brings together all the mounting tension of the development into a perfect scene that will really impress the ready and provide that most desirable ‘wow’ factor. The climax is, quite simply, where the story acquires its true value, where the story itself is put to the final test. Mathematically explained: the climax is actually the sum of all the preceding parts of the story.