The Power of a Satisfying Ending

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Hi, Winnie Griggs here. Today I thought I’d spend a little time talking about giving stories a truly satisfying ending and a time when I got it wrong.

First, let’s discuss what makes for a truly satisfying ending in a romance?

It’s not just about getting the hero and heroine over their story hurdles and to their happily-ever-after. It’s about making sure we believe they earned that happiness, that it will last and that we have the chance to savor that ending.

As romance readers, we want to close a book with a contented sigh, confident that the couple has faced the hard stuff, worked through it together, and come out stronger for it. That emotional payoff is what lingers long after the last page is turned.

So what goes into building that kind of ending? Here are a few key ingredients I’ve learned over the years, as both a reader and a writer:

  • Emotional Resolution – Conflicts and obstacles between the couple should be convincingly resolved, not glossed over. If there’s been hurt, we need to see true remorse and believable forgiveness. If there’s been doubt or misunderstanding, we should see clarity.
  • Evidence of Growth – It should be clear that the hero and heroine have changed in meaningful ways. By the end of the book, they shouldn’t view the world—or their place in it—the same way they did at the beginning. And we should recognize this not just because the author says it’s so but through the character’s actions. We know they won’t make the same mistakes again, because they’ve learned from the journey.
  • A Glimpse of the Future – Whether it’s through words, gestures, or symbolic moments, we get to see that their love has staying power. It feels solid, not fragile.
  • Space to Feel It – Perhaps most important of all, the ending should carry enough story weight and breathing room to allow us to bask in the emotions. This big emotional payoff scene should never be rushed or perfunctory. The couple (and the reader!) should have time to savor the joy of hard-won love.

When I first wrote Sadie’s Reluctant Groom fifteen years ago (It was titled The Perfect Wife back then), I didn’t quite get this last one right. At the time, I was writing for a publisher and had wordcount restrictions to work within. By the time I neared the end of the book, I had already breezed right past the upper limit, so I knew I was going to have to do some significant trimming and tightening. With that in the back of my mind, I decided to keep the ending very tight. Unfortunately, I made it tighter than it should have been.

The result? An ending that I came to realize later felt too abrupt, one with not enough room for readers to fully soak in Sadie and Eli’s happily-ever-after.

Fast-forward to today, and I’ve learned a lot since then. I now know the importance of giving those payoff moments the emotional weight they deserve. If cutting or summarizing is needed, I do it elsewhere.

So when I got the rights back to this series, I had the chance to revisit Sadie’s and Eli’s story. Without those wordcount restrictions, I was able to rework the ending and I made sure to expand it, to let it breathe, allowing readers truly feel the resolution of Sadie and Eli’s journey. Hopefully I got it right this time.

You can check it out for yourself when Sadie’s Reluctant Groom releases on Sept 16th
Available for preorder now HERE

 

 

And just for fun I thought I’d share an excerpt from early in the book:

Sadie stared up from her less-than-dignified position as Mr. Reynolds knelt beside her, waiting for the inevitable censure. Instead, he met her gaze with a concern that took her completely by surprise. “Are you sure you’re not hurt?”

She blinked, not quite certain how to react to this softer side of the man. “Yes, I mean, there’s no need—”

Why in the world was she stammering? She took a deep breath then offered a self-mocking smile. “The only thing smarting at the moment is my pride.”

He studied her a moment longer, then offered a hand. “In that case, here, let me help you up.”

She allowed him to take her elbow, liking the feel of his strong, protective grip. When he placed his other hand at her back to steady her, she decided, that yes, she liked this very much indeed.

“You’re bleeding!”

Penny, her complexion ashen, was pointing to Sadie’s hand.

Sadie stared at the thin ribbon of blood running from her palm as if it belonged to someone else. Then she turned back to Penny. “It’s all right, princess. I must have put my hand on a bit of crockery when I fell. But it doesn’t hurt. Truly.”

Mr. Reynolds intervened. “Just to be certain, let’s clean it up and have a look.”

“Oh, that’s not necess—”

He caught her gaze and tilted his head ever so slightly toward Penny. “I think everyone will feel better if I do.”

Penny nodded. “You don’t have to worry, Aunt Sadie. Eli’s real good at making boo-boos feel better.”

She saw his brow go up at Penny’s use of ‘Aunt Sadie’ but he let it pass without comment. Warmed by the thought that he took time to address his sister’s ‘boo-boos’, she allowed him to steer her towards the sink.

Even as she followed docilely along, though, Sadie again tried to make light of her injury. “Truly, it’s just a little cut.”

“Best to be safe.” He carefully extended her hand over the sink, filled a dipper with water, then looked up. “Ready?”

Seeing reassurance instead of disapproval in those cool gray eyes of his was a new experience for Sadie, one she found she rather enjoyed. Then she realized he was waiting for her response. “Ready,” she answered.

He gave her an approving smile, then slowly poured the water over the cut.

It was strange to feel him holding her hand like this. His own hand was smoother than those of the ranch hands she was used to, but not soft in a namby-pamby way. She sensed strength there and an unexpected protectiveness.

“Looks like there’s a sliver embedded in your palm.” He glanced up and met her gaze again. “This might hurt a bit. I’ll make it quick.”

She nodded. Staring at his bent head, she noticed the way his hair tended to curl around his ear, how his brow wrinkled slightly when he was concentrating. His expression shifted and she saw the flicker of concern as he caught hold of the offending sliver, then the small spurt of triumph mixed with relief as he pulled it free.

“Sorry.”

She blinked and it took her moment to realize he was apologizing for any discomfort his actions had caused her. “I hardly felt a thing.” Which was the absolute truth as far as the cut was concerned.

Penny held out a bit of cloth.

Sadie had been so riveted by Eli that she hadn’t noticed Penny had crossed the room.

“You can use this for a bandage,” she said to her brother.

“Of course.” He took the cloth from her and again his touch was gentle and sure as he wrapped her palm in the makeshift bandage.

“Thank you.” Was that soft voice hers?

He cradled her hand a moment longer as his gaze caught on hers.

And held.

For several long, breath-stealing moments.

I hope you enjoyed this sneak peek into Sadie’s Reluctant Groom. You can learn more or pre-order HERE

About the Book

He’s looking for a proper wife. She’s determined to just be herself.

When independent Sadie and by-the-book Eli are thrown together to prevent a scandal, neither expects affection to bloom. But as trust grows and walls begin to crumble, they discover that love can come when it’s least expected—and sometimes, exactly when you need it.

Sadie’s Reluctant Groom releases September 16. Available for preorder now!

So what do you think?
Do you agree with my list of what goes into a memorable, satisfying ending? Is there anything you would add? Join the conversation and leave a comment to be entered in a drawing for your choice of any book from my backlist.

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Winnie Griggs is the author of Historical (and occasionally Contemporary) romances that focus on Small Towns, Big Hearts, Amazing Grace. She is also a list maker, a lover of dragonflies and holds an advanced degree in the art of procrastination.
Three of Winnie’s books have been nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, and one of those nominations resulted in a win.
Winnie loves to hear from readers. You can connect with her on facebook at www.facebook.com/WinnieGriggs.Author or email her at winnie@winniegriggs.com.

62 thoughts on “The Power of a Satisfying Ending”

  2. I wouldn’t add anything, Winnie; seems to me you’ve got it figured out now. Guess writing’s like anything else; you improve with practice.
    Thanks for running the giveaway; print books are the best prizes!

  5. I agree with your list and can’t think of anything else right now. I think you might have it all covered. The book sounds really good!

  6. I do agree. I think sometimes authors don’t give enough thought to the ending. They concentrate more on the beginning to hook the reader. That is certainly important, but if the book doesn’t have a satisfying ending, you won’t have a repeat reader.

    • That’s true for any of the big emotional payoff moments in addition to the HEA – the first kiss, the first declaration of love, the black moment, etc. – we as readers want to be able to really savor these, to vicariously FEEL the impact they are having on the hero and heroine.

  7. The ending is just as important as the beginning or the middle. It needs to balance the whole story. We all want to believe in a happy ending. The book sounds very good.

  8. For me the ending is important. To see the couple overcome the obstacles and reach their happy ending. I appreciate the authors who give us the extra look into the future of the couple.
    So many times a book just ends and I wish there was just a bit more. I get so involved reading that a well written ending is so much more satisfying than one that just ends.

  11. I have one:
    the couple actually seems to fit together. You are not left thinking: they’ll totally separate within a year.

  14. A satisfying HEA is essential, yes. I love the concept of giving readers time to bask in that HEA. I hadn’t thought about it in quite that way before. I do try to resolve conflict before the end of the story, so the ending doesn’t feel rushed. I like the idea of space… thanks, Winnie!

  16. Yes, I do agree with your analytics. I love a good story line which leaves our couple settled and content with their path forward. Each person needs to be satisfied with the turn of events and how they learned to work together for that to happen.

  17. Yes, I do agree with your analytics. I love a good story line which leaves our couple settled and content with their path forward. Each person needs to be satisfied with the turn of events.

  20. Good morning Winnie! Yes, I agree on the ending of a story. All conflicts resolved and the couple are truly happy.

    Winnie, what happens to get your rights back on a series? The publisher lets it go or you get it back yourself? I know! The strangest things catch my interest! LOL

    Best wishes on this story being revamped!

    • Hi Tracy. It turns out it’s different for every author at every publisher and sometimes for the individual books. I The conditions to be met are written into the contract between the author and the publisher. Some rights have gotten back fairly easily. Some books I may never get the rights back to. Like I say it all depends…

  21. There is nothing better than a satisfying ending. I agree with your list but I also like a book that ends with a smile on my face.

  22. Good morning, yes I agree with you on the ending of a story! Your book sounds like a great read , Thank you for sharing the excerpt. Have a great day and a great week.

  27. I totally agree with your list, and I would add that the characters have to seem like real people. I’ve read books where the authors don’t fully develop the characters, and it’s hard to connect with them or care about what happens to them.

  28. I agree with you, especially about the space for things to happen. I have read some books that were good but could have been great if not for the fact that it all happened too quickly.

  29. Enjoyed reading your as an aspiring unpublished author myself I’m always looking for tips and a satisfying ending does feel good so good that I celebrate ? each time I have one
    Looking forward to reading your books in print so I can review them

  30. I agree with what you said about an ending. It is such a disappointment when the story doesn’t give enough time to the ending. The story sounds like an excellent read.

  31. Your post explained so much. There have been too many books that I was thoroughly enjoying just to have it ruined by an abrupt ending. It seemed the author had become tired with the story and just wanted to get it over with, or maybe just ran out of ideas. It always left me feeling cheated and a bit peeved with the author. I agree with you that if cuts need to be made, there are better places tome them. No matter how good a book is, if you cheat the ending, that is what the reader will remember. You realized it and finally got a chance to fix it. It is a lesson writers have to learn, which you did. Your books have always been satisfying reads.

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