Tony Tips Tuesdays: Finish Strong — Why Endings Matter in Your Writing Journey

Tyrone Tony Reed Jr.
Apr 1
4 min read

Welcome back to another edition of Tony Tips Tuesdays! Today, on the 1st day of International Black Women's History Month, we focus on a powerful writing truth: endings matter. Whether you're penning a novel, screenplay, blog post, or short story, how you conclude your work can define how readers remember it.

Much like life itself, the final chapters of any narrative often hold the most emotional weight, the biggest revelations, and the lasting impression that stays with your audience. If beginnings invite readers in, endings are what send them off with satisfaction—or regret.

The Importance of Endings

Think about your favorite stories. What do they all have in common? A strong, unforgettable ending. The conclusion of your story is not just a formality—it's a fulfillment of the reader's emotional investment. A well-crafted ending rewards your reader for staying the course, offers resolution, and echoes your story's core message.

Endings shape the legacy of your work. An incredible opening might attract attention, but a satisfying ending is what prompts recommendations, re-reads, and devoted fans. In the words of readers everywhere: "I stayed up all night to finish it. That ending? WHEW!"

And on the flip side, we know the disappointment of a book or film that fizzled out at the end. It cheapens the journey, undermines the characters, and erodes trust in the writer.

So let’s talk about how to finish strong and make your endings work as hard as your beginnings.

Types of Endings and How to Use Them Well

1. The Full-Circle Ending

Brings the reader back to the beginning with deeper understanding.

Use when: Your story is about growth, transformation, or returning home.
Example: In Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God, Janie returns to Eatonville with a new outlook, having lived, loved, and lost.

2. The Twist Ending

Delivers an unexpected revelation that changes the meaning of the story.

Use when: Your genre thrives on surprise (mystery, thriller, speculative fiction).
Tip: Ensure it still fits the logic of your narrative. Don’t cheat the reader.

3. The Open-Ended Conclusion

Leaves room for interpretation or continuation.

Use when: You want to invite readers to think or imagine what comes next.
Warning: This works best if the emotional arc is still complete.

4. The Tragic Ending

Not all endings are happy. Some are truthful, haunting, or bittersweet.

Use when: The story calls for emotional resonance and realism.
Black women writers have mastered this—using pain not for shock, but for depth.

5. The Triumphant Ending

The hero overcomes, the journey ends in growth or victory.

Use when: Your narrative is about empowerment, resistance, or hope.
Example: Consider the ending of The Color Purple by Alice Walker. Celie finds her voice, her family, and herself.

Crafting a Strong Ending: 6 Key Tips

Know Your Ending (Eventually) You don’t have to start your story knowing the last line, but by midpoint, your character’s arc should point toward it.
Resolve What Matters Tie up the central conflicts. Don’t leave readers wondering about major character motivations or story promises.
Echo the Beginning Endings that mirror a moment or image from the start feel satisfying and intentional.
Let Characters Earn It Whether joy or sorrow, readers must believe your characters worked for this ending.
Reinforce the Theme If your story is about healing, courage, or community, the final scene should reflect that.
Avoid Rushing Too many great stories unravel in the last chapter. Give your ending the space it deserves.

Celebrating Black Women Writers and Their Powerful Endings

This International Black Women's History Month, let’s honor some of the masterful storytellers who knew how to close with strength.

Toni Morrison

In Sula, the final thoughts on friendship, betrayal, and memory linger long after the book ends. Morrison never gave her readers easy closure—she gave them truth.

Octavia Butler

In Kindred, the ending is devastating and symbolic. It leaves the reader questioning identity, history, and survival.

Jesmyn Ward

Her endings, especially in Salvage the Bones and Sing, Unburied, Sing, are rich with spiritual weight and emotional release. The pain is present, but so is resilience.

Tayari Jones

In An American Marriage, the conclusion reflects the complicated reality of love, justice, and time. It doesn't pander to fairy tales; it honors truth.

What Makes a "Disappointing" Ending?

Loose ends that don’t serve a larger mystery or message.
Characters acting out of alignment just to wrap things up.
A message that contradicts the journey (e.g., a victim suddenly forgiving an abuser without cause).
Too many last-minute plot devices (a long-lost twin, a random letter, a dream).

How I Apply These Tips in My Writing

In my novel S.O.L.A.D. ™: Soldiers of Light Against Darkness ™, I wanted the ending to reflect not just the battles fought, but the growth and faith forged along the way.

Characters like Angelo and Angeline don’t just defeat evil—they embrace their roles as warriors, mentors, and beacons for others. The final moments are charged with both victory and responsibility, ensuring the reader closes the book not just satisfied, but hopeful.

I often ask myself: What do I want the reader to feel as they close this book? If I can answer that clearly, I know where I’m headed.

Writing Exercises: Finish Strong

Rewrite an Ending You Hate Take a book or film with a weak ending and rewrite it in a way that satisfies you.
Last Line Challenge Write the last line of your current work-in-progress. Don’t worry if it changes later.
Create a Mirror Scene Go to your opening scene. Can you create a parallel moment in the final chapter that shows how far your character has come?

Final Thought: End with Intention

Great endings don’t happen by accident. They are crafted, revised, and earned.

So whatever you write—novels, poetry, nonfiction, or essays—respect the ending. It’s your final handshake, your mic drop, your standing ovation.

Let your readers close the book and whisper, "Wow. That was worth it."

Explore S.O.L.A.D. ™ and See How a Story Ends with Light

Want to read a story that honors the full journey and ends with heart? Grab a copy of S.O.L.A.D. ™: Soldiers of Light Against Darkness ™ at www.tyronetonyreedjr.com/the-shop. Let it inspire your own storytelling journey—from start to finish.

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