Short stories, when structured effectively, are refreshingly interesting stories that can provide valuable entertainment out of the daily routine without having to read a thick novel. If you've thought about your story to the end and don't know what to do next, remember that even the best writers sometimes don't have ideas.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Reviewing Your Story (So Far)
Step 1. Reread the story you have written so far
This will refresh your memory and allow you to review what you've written and what you need to add. As you read, ask yourself a few questions:
- What is the purpose of the story? In other words, what do you want your readers to get out of your story?
- Do you want a surprising ending? Unexpected ending? End of story unclear or hanging? Happy ending forever?
Step 2. Think about the type of story you are writing
What is literary fiction? Science fiction? Romance? The flow of your story may be able to help you determine the type of ending that works best. Your ending should relate to what your story has promised your readers.
If you're not sure which type of ending would best suit the genre you've chosen, pick a well-known author (such as Stephen King for horror or Flannery O'Connor for literary fiction) and read some of their stories. You can learn a lot from reading how other authors end their stories
Step 3. Outline your story
Write short descriptive sentences that summarize each important scene or plot point. For example: Larry went to the store to buy bread, but forgot to bring his wallet. He returned home and found a stranger sitting on the veranda of his house. This outline will help you figure out the outline of your story: what happened, with whom, etc., which will be useful when trying to determine the ending.
Method 2 of 4: Write It On Paper
Step 1. Ponder possible ideas
This section may not have to be a complete and perfect sentence. Your goal here is to generate as many possibilities as possible, so write down any and all of your ideas, no matter how obscure, stupid, or inappropriate they may seem. There are many ways to reflect on your ideas, so try a few techniques and see which one works best for you!
- It helps to draw mind maps, either with pen and paper or on a computer. Start with what you know about your story – the characters, events, settings – and group each element in its own circle. Start adding details and questions, drawing lines between circles to show how your ideas relate to one another.
- You might also try writing some keywords on index cards or small pieces of paper. Try putting your cards together in different combinations and see if you like the combinations!
Step 2. Review the things you have produced
As you consider your ideas, look for themes, patterns, and repetitions. Is there an idea or character that seems important? Your ending will most likely relate to this.
- If you're having trouble determining the direction of the story, try making a list of things your characters want. Characters with strong wants or needs are more attractive to your readers. The famous author Kurt Vonnegut once said that every character should want something, even if it's just a glass of water. Ask yourself: Have your characters achieved what they wanted or not? What is the result of your character's current position?
- If you're still confused, try to figure out the issues or themes your story has introduced. If there is a problem, how will it be solved? (You can think of something like this Harry Potter book: if the problem is that Voldemort wants to rule the world, what is the solution?)
Step 3. Write freely
When you've thought about the direction of your story and pondered some ideas, sit down and write freely for about 30 minutes without stopping. Try to design the ending from start to finish, but don't worry if the sentences are correct and spelling correct. Focus on gathering your ideas for a while.
- It might be helpful to use a timer. When your time is up, take a break and then return to your writing.
- Find a quiet location with no distractions so you can focus on your writing.
- Try to write for a full 30 minutes without stopping to change it. The writing you produce may seem cluttered, but it's useful to gather your ideas together without breaking the flow of your writing.
Method 3 of 4: Combining All Ideas
Step 1. Choose your favorite ideas from your musings and free writing
Make sure your ideas are consistent with other posts you've written; For example, a happily ever after ending might be appropriate for a romance story but not for a horror story.
Step 2. Compare the possible endings of your story with the outline of the story you wrote in Part 1
Make sure the ending you choose tells your readers what they want to know. Don't let anything hang; for example, if one of your characters is going to have an operation in the middle of a story, your readers may want to know what happened to him.
Step 3. Value your readers
As author Kurt Vonnegut suggests, Use the time a stranger has so he doesn't feel like his time is wasted. Endings like these are all just a dream or they're dead usually a bad idea because they almost never solve problems or come up with a reasonable conclusion, and this will leave your readers feeling cheated.
Avoid the deus ex machina ending (literally God in the machine), where a coincidence happens at a fortuitous moment to help the character face a difficult challenge: for example, a detective in a serious story only solves a mystery because he gets a call from a mysterious person. which has all the answers to the mystery
Step 4. Make sure that your ending follows the logic you have set in the story
Try not to change the rules on your readers. So, for example, if your main character never wanted to get married and he changed his mind at the end of your story, make sure that his reasons for deciding to get married are shown throughout the story, and not shown out of the blue.
Step 5. Write the final event in the correct sentence
For example: Millie walks towards the closet. He listened to the scratching sound from inside the cupboard and tried to face his fear. Quickly, he grabbed the door handle and opened the door. A little mouse ran out of the closet, and he laughed. This way, you know exactly what's going on; You will go back and correct the language in Section 4.
Pay attention to the length. A good ending will have a length that matches the length of the other stories
Method 4 of 4: Refining the Language
Step 1. Add descriptive language to the section you just wrote
Focus on tangible and sensory details. In the example above, you might describe the sound of his claws, and the things in the closet that Millie imagined, that frightened her.
Step 2. Reread the ending
Make sure that you provide enough information about the characters' thoughts, feelings, and reactions. In the example above, the ending might reveal that Millie is simply afraid of her own fears, and seeing the mouse makes her realize her folly.
Step 3. Reread the story from beginning to end
Make sure you are consistent throughout the story; You don't want a story where one part is not very detailed in explaining while the other part in the story is described in detail even every minute.
Step 4. Make a complete makeover of your entire story
This is when you can make final adjustments and tweaks to make your story read more smoothly. Check carefully, make sure all your grammar is correct, and correct any parts of your language that are unclear or odd.
Step 5. Share your story with friends
Since you've put a lot of time and effort into writing your story, you may have a very different point of view from other readers. Asking someone to read your story will help you identify if any of the sections seem confusing or inappropriate to the reader. You'll also probably find out if your friends think your story is perfect!
Tips
- Sometimes, if you get confused when you come up with an idea, it can help to make connections between your characters. Draw a line between a pair of characters, and then imagine how they might get to know each other.
- Don't be so cruel to yourself. Writing takes practice! Relax and have fun.
