8 Types of Endings that make Readers say, “I Wasted My Time"

Summary

This video explores eight common types of bad endings that authors should avoid in their books. These include rushed endings, outside forces saving the day, ending in the middle of the story, sudden genre shifts, unearned happy endings, 'it was all a dream' twists, unsolved mysteries, and predictable conclusions. Through examples like *Game of Thrones*, *The Stand*, and *The Bone Clocks*, the video emphasizes the importance of pacing, character agency, and a satisfying resolution. It advises writers to ensure endings are believable, earned, and avoid cheap tricks that undermine the reader's emotional investment.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rushed endings can feel unsatisfying. Take the time to craft a proper conclusion that rewards the reader after a long journey in the story.
• 😀 An outside force swooping in to save the day undermines the protagonist's agency and can leave readers feeling cheated. The main character should actively solve the problem.
• 😀 Ending in the middle of the story can leave readers feeling incomplete. A resolution, even if minimal, is essential for satisfying closure.
• 😀 Changing the genre or tone of the story abruptly in the ending can feel like a betrayal to the reader, breaking the expectations set throughout the book.
• 😀 An unearned happy ending, especially one based on coincidences, can make the resolution feel hollow and unconvincing. It should feel earned through the characters' struggles.
• 😀 The 'It was all a dream' ending breaks the contract with the reader, invalidating the emotional investment and negating any consequences within the story.
• 😀 Unsolved mysteries can work in some genres, like postmodern or literary fiction, but in most novels, mysteries should be resolved to honor the promise made to the reader.
• 😀 Predictable endings, where the reader can easily guess the outcome, lack the element of surprise that makes the conclusion rewarding. Endings should be both inevitable and surprising.
• 😀 While some stories can use ambiguity effectively, most readers expect a clear resolution, especially if they’ve been following a central mystery throughout the book.
• 😀 Pacing issues, such as rushing through the final act, can ruin an ending. A rushed conclusion may fail to deliver on the emotional payoff built up during the story.

Q & A

What is the main point of the video?

The video outlines eight common mistakes to avoid when writing the ending of a book. It emphasizes the importance of a satisfying conclusion that fulfills the reader's expectations.

Why is a rushed ending problematic in storytelling?

A rushed ending leaves the reader feeling unsatisfied and cheated, as they expect a proper reward after investing time in the story. The video uses the rushed ending of the *Game of Thrones* TV series as an example.

What is meant by 'an outside force saving the day' in a bad ending?

An outside force saving the day refers to a plot device where a character is rescued or a problem is solved by an external factor, rather than by the main character's actions. This undermines the reader's emotional investment in the protagonist.

What are some examples of 'an outside force saving the day'?

An example from the video is *The Stand* by Stephen King, where God intervenes to solve a major crisis, leaving readers feeling cheated because the main character doesn't resolve the conflict.

Why is ending a story 'in the middle' considered a mistake?

Ending in the middle of a story leaves readers without closure or resolution, making them feel unsatisfied. The example given is *The Last Cruise* by Kate Christensen, where the story ends without the ship being rescued, leaving the reader hanging.

How does an ambiguous ending differ from ending in the middle?

An ambiguous ending leaves room for interpretation, often offering multiple possible outcomes, whereas ending in the middle simply stops the story before a clear resolution is reached.

What is the issue with changing genres or topics toward the end of a book?

Changing the genre or tone of a story at the end can feel like a betrayal to the reader, as it breaks the expectations built throughout the book. The video cites *The Bone Clocks* by David Mitchell as an example, where the ending shifts from realism to a fantasy action sequence.

What constitutes an 'unearned happy ending'?

An unearned happy ending is one that feels forced or unrealistic, often achieved through coincidence or without the characters working for it. A believable happy ending requires the characters to struggle and overcome obstacles.

Why is the 'It was all a dream' trope considered a bad ending?

The 'It was all a dream' ending invalidates the emotional investment of the reader and erases any consequences of the characters' actions. It is seen as a cheat or a cop-out for the writer.

What are some exceptions to the 'It was all a dream' rule?

One notable exception is *Alice in Wonderland*, where the dream-like nature of the story is established from the beginning, making the revelation that it was a dream feel like a confirmation rather than a twist.

How does an unsolved mystery in a book affect the reader's experience?

Unresolved mysteries can feel like broken promises to the reader, as they expect answers by the end. However, some books, like *Picnic at Hanging Rock*, manage to pull it off because the mystery is presented as an unsolved true crime story, leaving room for ambiguity.

What makes an ending both 'inevitable' and 'surprising'?

An ending that is both inevitable and surprising has been foreshadowed throughout the story, making it logical and expected, yet still catches the reader off guard. Examples from the video include *Murder on the Orient Express* and *1984* by George Orwell.