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  1. Vanvani

    Vanvani New Member

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    Does a story need a good twist at the end?

    Discussion in 'Plot Development' started by Vanvani, Apr 21, 2019.

    My story doesn't really have a lot of ground breaking revelations at the end. The main character ends up dying, but that was somewhat inevitable and there is a what I think is a pretty thought provoking conversation with the villain at the end, but no big sixth sense twist. Can a story still be good without one?
     
  2. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

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    Absolutely. If your characters are sufficiently engaging, you don't have to depend on dramatic reversals to bring the story to a satisfying close. You can also end with a epic confrontation with your protagonist prevailing despite being at a definite disadvantage.

    And that's just two kinds of endings off the top of my pointy head.
     
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  3. Vanvani

    Vanvani New Member

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    Great, thank you! I was getting really worried there because I didn't have one. :p
     
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  4. Cave Troll

    Cave Troll It's Coffee O'clock everywhere. Contributor

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    Nope, you don't have to have/need a twist to end your story(ies).

    Not sure which is worse for an ending the big twist, or they
    cliffhanger that leaves lots of things just unresolved? Hmm...

    Well I am sure your ending is fitting of the story you have written. :)
     
  5. Night Herald

    Night Herald The Fool Contributor

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    No. It needs a good ending, which needn't come in the form of a twist.
     
  6. cosmic lights

    cosmic lights Contributor Contributor

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    No, it doesn't have to have one.
     
  7. James Terzian

    James Terzian Member

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    Depends om you as the writer what do you want to see
     
  8. Alan Aspie

    Alan Aspie Banned Contributor

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    Story can be good without ground breaking revelation at the end.

    In fact story can be good without end.

    A good story without ending kind of creates some kind of virtual end to itself.

    Memoirs are probably the best place to look these.

    Two examples of good stories without (narrative) endings:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Unknown_Kimi_Raikkonen

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Diary_of_a_Young_Girl
     
  9. deadrats

    deadrats Contributor Contributor

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    Of course, you don't need a twist at the end. Forcing one can come across a little gimmicky. I'm also not a fan of death endings. Those too can feel cheap. My favorite endings always come a little sooner than if the author spelled it all out to the very end. The actual way the story ends doesn't have to be on the page. It just has to be clear what's going to happen. When it comes to writing, they say arrive late and leave early. That's one of the best pieces of advice I've ever gotten.
     
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  10. peachalulu

    peachalulu Member Reviewer Contributor

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    Just don't built it as though it should have an epic ending and the readers will be fine. If you pace it as though it should have a zowie end-note though and it doesn't, the readers could get pissed.
    Just give the story what it naturally leans towards. I don't have a twist at the end but I've paced it that I do need a bit of a showdown.
     
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