How can you make your story ending unforgettable?

While the hook is where the reader will start the story, for the writer I find deciding the ending first is more helpful. If I know where I want to take a reader, everything else falls into place.

I prefer to call this the "Fuse" rather than the "Hook"...all I can see is a fish painfully jerked out of water to a place where it can't breathe. But, in the Fuse, I need to capture attention, but then quickly covert that attention into interest. Attention is cheap...a ding on my phone or a dog barking will get my attention. Interest will bring me back to your story after my attention has been distracted. Nothing is more interesting to people than themselves. I teach this: Tease the change in the story, and promise a lesson that will make their lives better. The tease gets attention, the gap between where you started and the lesson you learn holds interest. Then deliver!

Whatever kind of story, script, term paper, sales pitch etc that is written needs a beginning (a reason for the story) a middle that tells what the writer wants to convey and keeps their interest or a mystery. Then a griping ending that makes the reader want another episode, story, etc.

In both teaching and reading fiction, I've discovered that it's much easier to begin a story well with promise, than to end it with a satisfying and strong conclusion. Beta readers can help with suggestions if the ending seems weak. Don't fool the reader with some gimmick; deliver what you promise.

If you start your story with an action and location you’re off to a great start in hooking your audience in. Or use a dialogue. Imagine your story like the opening scene of a movie. It’s normally right in the heart of the action. So should your story.

It will depend on who your audience is. Storytelling is used in many walks of life: To educate To pass on information To tap into imagination To influence a decision The list goes on! In business, you will find the best marketing strategists are companies who use storytelling to Connect emotionally with their audience. The ultimate goal will be to sell their wares. Great by products are awareness, credibility and trust. These will help a brand with future growth.

Start your story with an action. One which will set the scene for the entire story. Let the story unfold with things leading to the climax and a compelling ending.

One Line. A True Story OR non-fiction with actual evidence of an event OR events that have a detrimental effect on the masses garners more than attention. You must be specific!

Very often, many will have already known the story ending, as spoilers are readily available on review sites on the internet. The start can be made memorable with an equal weight like the end, but with a much clearer reason why the intended audience will want to read beyond the first page or paragraph. Also, the intent is to enable the readers to understand why a big change and resolution is required., and how they will feel greatly satisfied in sharing the journey. As if...the readers are part of the story.

Yes...fulfill your promise you offered in the opening Fuse, but also answer this question: Why are you telling me this story? If you are writing a screenplay or a novel, the goal is entertainment. But, if you are telling a story in a sales meeting, a pitch, or a keynote, the reason is not always so clear--so make it clear. Don't be coy....show life after the change (the center of the story), then say the lesson you learned from the experience. "...after that DM, I stopped being afraid to be myself on LinkedIn. The benefits of connection are far-better than the fear of being rejected." When they know WHY you are telling the story, everything makes sense!

Characters have to be true to whom they are. Show the changes/growth of your characters through their actions and thoughts. Make sure all questions are answered and their are no loose ends.

In the 320+ real-life stories I've written for clients over the last year, I've approached this differently. I'm not writing a thriller screenplay or a who-done-it mystery novel. I am writing a story for action...to buy, to invest, to hire me. The essence of surprise is believing one thing, then learning something else is true. I can't risk you believing the wrong thing. If you think you know what you are going to say, your mind will shutoff. If you are watching a movie, you know things are often not what they seem. Movie-watchers are trained to suspend judgment. But, your interviewer isn't. Instead, build drama and suspense by hinting at what will happen. Their dopamine will keep them tuned in to every word you say.

You can also surprise your reader or listener by hiding details into your story on a list or show it as a minor detail. Then when all the pieces start being pulled together you surprise and delight your reader in the end. It also can be a form of a callback which is very satisfying.

In the 15 novels and my short story collection Most of which are mystery and thriller books my readers have been begging for sequels. The idea is to keep them wanting more. I want them thinking about the characters and the theme of what they've read. I want them talking about the themes. I've written murder, arson, stalking, bullying, spousal and child abuse, PTSD, obsession, kidnapping, narcissism, and human trafficking.

A powerful story ending leaves the reader thinking, “wow if this person overcame this, I can too”. Use elements of specificity throughout that a reader could relate and grab to so that by the time they arrive at the end they both see and feel themselves in the transformation that could be possible.

Honestly, the place to put the emotion isn't in the ending...it is in the challenges that come before the change. The ending is where things unwind...you bring your audience back into today...you in real life. So, do everything the article here suggests, but earlier...before the consequential change that changed everything for you. Bring your audience in close...closer...to see themselves in you, and they can't turn away.

Exactly, if you create charactes who could be people your readers can imagine seeing walking down the street in their neighborhood. Your readers will pick up on personalities, expressions, choices, and thinking. It is a matter of knowing your characters as well as you know yourself.

When telling stories verbally, you impact your audience with your emotions. When you feel something, your audience feel that with you. So as you’re telling the story show them you care through your voice, facial expression and energy. They then will care with you.

I take a different approach. I want them to think of me at the moment they need me the most. You can do this by adjusting the challenges you include in your real-life story to be those most relatable to the audience you intend to reach. For example...I worked with a client who spent hours each week posting LinkedIn content. But nothing...no engagement...no DMs...a few 'pity' likes. He felt like he was wasting his time and was about ready to give up. Until something changed... Now the next time they are having that experience for themselves, they remember the story I told and how it changed everything for my client.

I never ask them a question at the end. I want them to think about why my characters are doing what they do? Why is the theme this one? Most of my themes are ripped from the headlines of local news. Why on earth shouldn't the reader be wondering how they can change things in real life?

We absorb stories through different lens that have been influenced by our different experiences. When we listen to stories we take what resonates and what’s useful to us. Most stories that are memorable would have common themes that affect us. Each person is different. What is memorable for one is forgettable to another. But universal themes such as - belonging, search for identity, search for meaning, desire for love and acceptance would resonate with most folks.

My test isn't for enjoyment but for meaning. I'm creating real-life stories for action and understanding, so I want to see if the people I share the story with "get it". Are they asking relevant questions? Are they sharing a similar experience from their own lives? Or...are they staring at me with a blank face? Sharing a personal story that matters to you is a vulnerable act. If you ask someone if they "enjoyed" it, only a monster would say no. You don't need those people in your life.

A good story, can only become great when it's out in the world and in the hearts and minds of others. Practice, chop, change, reflect and listen each time you tell that story. You shouldn't tell a story only once, it's now part of your repertoire, of your story collection. Each time you tell it you'll become more comfortable and confident in the story's core message.

Feedback is a gift. But when asking for feedback you need to be specific. You can ask them specifically for feedback on your ending or how your story ends. For example: What work? What did not? What was not clear? What would you like to hear more of? Which part did you enjoy? Any other ideas ? Questions like these can also help guide the person giving you feedback so you’re both on the same page.

Tell us a story of the heart. Don't sell your soul. Sales are one thing. We get it. But petty profit is putrid. People come for the story. They stay for the message. Don't betray your audience with banality. Don't betray your people with ploys. Stay golden. Be honest. Integrity is priceless. Think about it.

The way to give them that amazing ending is to keep the audience emotionally invested throughout the whole story. Take the audience on an adventure. Have them feel the highs and lows, the drama, the laughs and when the story is finished, they should feel emotionally satisfied. You don't need to a long-drawn-out tale to keep them interested. Take this little two sentence horror story one for example: "The spiders cocooned their prey in layers of silk. The muffled screams of the man grew fainter with each new layer." Short, sweet, and kept the listener (or reader in this case), interested.

Shape your story around a valuable life lesson---like a fable (e.g. The Tortoise and the Hare). It will have lasting impact, perhaps even across generations. In the telling, you can use your own unique methods. Just be sure to craft your opening and ending so that they can be cemented together once the circle is complete.