You did it! You expanded that idea, developed your characters, completed chapter after chapter. Emotionally, you’ve been through more ups, downs, twists, and turns than your plot, and now that you’ve seen just how easy it was to get started, you’re ready to complete your work. But without a strong conclusion, all of your hard work could end up stamped with a DNF and left on the shelf. Today, we’re launching into the Finish Your Book Series to help you out.
Here are 5 consequences of a weak finale:
1. Disappointment
Always keep your reader in mind. Of course you want to enjoy writing and tell a story that feels emotionally satisfying to you, but also remember why your reading audience is on this ride. This takes balance! Don’t be so caught up in delivering a unique twist that you let your readers down. But also, don’t be so cliché that the reader predicts everything before they arrive at the end! Consider the most logical conclusion and give it just a hint of a creative twist.
2. Attention (the negative kind)
Readers write reviews. They rate books. They choose what to read next based on those ratings and reviews. A bad ending can be the demise of a beautifully written book. So take the time to ensure your story has the perfect brag-worthy ending.
3. Loss of sales (or deals)
In the same way a flopped conclusion can affect your ratings and reviews, they can ultimately plummet your book sales and, for traditionally-signed authors, lead to the demise of any current or future book deals with publishers. Take the time to develop and deliver an ending that sings, and your numbers will soar.
4. DNF
DNF = Did Not Finish. The last thing you want is for your reader to be so unsatisfied with your book that they give up reading in the last 30 pages! Be sure to run your manuscript (along with its conclusion) by a handful of critique partners, beta readers, and/or a quality editor to ensure you’re writing a finale that’s worth seeing through to the end.
5. Loss of fans
A loyal reader may give up on reading your next release if they feel unsatisfied by your latest book’s ending. Pay attention to your reviews, as well as those of your fellow comp authors. Identify what the people want, and be sure—on some level—to give it to them.
Conclusion
A strong conclusion makes all the difference in a reader’s mind. A weak finale can leave you with a 1-star review and poor sales. Getting quality feedback and resisting the urge to rush through your novel’s ending is essential to its success, so take your time! Want to learn more about writing a finale that really sings? Check out this article here for 5 top strategies.