Writing Endings That Feel Bittersweet and Meaningful
- Kayjah Taylor
- Jun 20
- 2 min read
Imagine reading an incredible story. The characters are lovable and complex. The plot is incredibly interesting. The world-building is believable and fantastic.
But the ending is predictable
My preference is an ending that's not a happily ever-after. A realistic, meaningful, and bittersweet ending has a special place in my heart. In this blog, I'll give 5 tips on how to achieve a solid, bittersweet ending.
Let the Ending Be Earned
Don't slap a good ending into your character's hand and call it a day.
I know, it's tempting to give your characters their happily ever-after. Fight the urge. Resist!
Readers resonate with characters who have to work. We want to see them struggle, fail, sacrifice, and ultimately grow from their experiences. Let your character change because of what they've been through. Let the ending reflect the journey. What did they learn?
And what did it cost? Sometimes victory comes at a price.
What Was the Cost of Your Character's Decisions?
A meaningful ending usually means one with consequences and sacrifices.
It doesn't have to be an enormous cost, like death, destruction, or heartbreak. Sometimes it's the small things that hurt the most. Here are some examples of costs because of your character's decision-making:
Your character can only be free by leaving their loved ones.
Your character gets revenge, but it doesn't heal what was broken.
Your character earns a good life, but at the cost of their innocence, home, and family.
Don't Spoon Feed Your Reader
This is something I've been encountering more recently. As an author, you're told to explain everything in your world so your reader can fully understand what's going on. Most of the time this is the case, but it applies to the environment more than the plot.
Don't explain everything to me! I want to use my brain!
Not every mystery needs a concrete answer. You can leave some questions open-ended, as long as it makes sense. It allows the story to still live and breathe, even after its done.
Ask What the Heart of Your Story is
Why did your characters go through all that trouble to end up where they ended up?
Let your ending mean something. Let it follow the themes and goals your characters have been pursuing, whether it's hope, belonging, identity, fear, etc.
Your ending should answer it, even if not fully.
Leave Room for Hope
Last, but certainly not least.
Now, this doesn't mean your story has to end with hopeful undertones. It can be dark and hopeless while still being a good ending. For those who prefer to end their books with something the reader can remember fondly, consider letting your last imagery paint a picture of hope.
Let your character lie in that field of wildflowers.
Let your kingdom begin to rebuild after an agonizing war.
Let the dead be buried and honored.
In short, give your reader a hint that things will get better.
Thank you all for reading! I hope these tips, as always, are helpful to your writing journey, and have an amazing Saturday <3
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