The Disruption of Order

All stories begin and end in the same general manner: with a disruption and restoration (or acceptance) of order.

So, as writers, one of the first things we need to establish is how things were before versus how they have been, or will be, disrupted (as well as the subsequent effects of those disruptions).

Ideally, this will take place in the first chapter (or two), where you will also introduce the story question (a variation on "what's going to happen?"). 

Why does this work?

Because when your characters have a routine that is disrupted, they are forced to restore order. 

They may eventually accept the new disruption, but not before actively working against it, which will be most apparent in the choices they make and the actions they take. 

In The Guardian, Genesis is in a car accident that spurs Seth (her guardian angel) to step out of the shadows and into her world.

In Cross My Heart, Jaden is assigned a partner for a school project, forcing her to work with (and get to know) Parker.

In All I Never Wanted, Trent is required to spend time with Summer (community service) as she serves out her own sentence in rehab.

In All I Never Needed, Harley is unexpectedly sent to live with her dad, upending both her life and River's.

The stakes build from here, of course, as the plot progressively thickens from chapter to chapter, but that first initial push--where a carefully ordered world falls into chaos--is needed to set your unique story in motion. 

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~

Bringing Secrets to Light

If nothing new is revealed at the end of a story, if the characters haven't changed, then what was the point? 

The final pages of a novel should unearth something new about a character or situation (ideally, there should have been a slow build to this moment, the conclusion inevitable based on what has unraveled throughout the narrative). 

But whatever the character has held inside--thoughts, feelings, secrets, etc.--should, to some degree, come to light.

An ending to a story elicits a stronger reaction from the reader when a revelation is at the helm: a surprise, then a sigh.

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~ 

The End--Writing Tip

The key promise you've made to your reader at the beginning of the story is that something will be different by the end.

The main character will not only possess new information, but it's likely she (or he) has done something about it.

The final pages, paragraphs, and sentences should elicit some kind of emotion in your reader (it's up to you to determine what emotion that might be).

An effective end to your story will merge your character's thoughts, symbols, and action to bring about a meaningful close to your story--and that last sentence is most powerful of all.

The feeling in this moment is what will make your story linger in the reader's mind for hours, days, and even weeks to come.

Don't squander the opportunity.

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~

The Denouement--Writing Tip

Post-climax, the denouement serves to wrap up your story. Where are your characters now? How are they doing? What's next for them?

The denouement answers any remaining questions. It provides closure.

Because readers don't want to be left hanging. They want to know that the characters are (or will be) okay after the book closes.

The exception to the rule?

If you're writing a series. In this case, the story should be wrapped up, but not too wrapped up.

Either way, the denouement should grow organically out of who your characters are, the conflict they faced, and the obstacles they overcame.

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~

The Ending--Writing Tip

What kind of ending delivers?

It depends.

What is your story trying to accomplish?
Are you aiming for emotional satisfaction or intellectual satisfaction?
Have you promised the reader a fright or love or justice?
Have you promised the answer to a problem?
A new insight?
The "warm fuzzies"?

What forces were set in motion throughout your narrative, and who is going to be triumphant?

Either way, the ending should satisfy, it should be logical, and it should be emotional.

It should grow out of who your characters are.

There is no such thing as a "one size fits all" ending. If the climax could happen to anyone, it's not your character's climax.

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~

The Promise--Writing Tip

From the very first words on the very first page of your story, you've made a promise to the reader. You've promised them conflict. Surprises. Disasters. Secrets. Change.

And you've promised that, at some point, time will run out and everything delivered through the middle of the story will collide.

Therein lies the climax.

The promises you've made determine how your story can end. If you've built up to a fiery crash and burn, then you'd better deliver or the reader will be left disappointed. If you've built up to a quiet revelation, the character should have that clear "come to Jesus" moment.

There is a plethora of options available--you're not limited in terms of what could potentially happen--but you can't violate the promise. 

The ending should satisfy. 

Be Brilliant!

~Katie~