Short Stories: The End

Short Stories: May 27, 2026 Issue [#13763]

The End

Editor: Gaby

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

Sometimes you just have to jump off the cliff without knowing where you will land.
~ Zainab Salbi

There's something very satisfying about a good short story. As long as it captures the audience, its actual length doesn't really matter. What does matter? The ending.

Most of the writing comes to a conclusion if not an actual ending. Any book written as part of a trilogy or a never ending story has some kind of ending that would satisfy the reader's mind, yet make them want to continue on the journey of the characters. With short stories it's a bit different. There's only so much you can write to get every necessary word out, while at the same time, keeping the reader entertained, involved, and give them a satisfactory ending. Or do you?

What about the cliffhanger endings? Those can be quite fun to write. Just when the fun starts, it's all cut off and the reader is left a bit disappointed, but rather curious if the story got a hold of them. These types of endings are not recommended but truth be told, a lot of things aren't recommended to be used in writing and yet, somehow, they work.

Writing is a free spirited concept. You write what appeals to you, what interests you, and what you can't find anywhere else. The same applies to a reader. We all search for something in books we can't find in life. Be it a romantic story where two souls find each other or a doctor who is fascinated with death and thrives on figuring out the how and with what, or be that a cop who loves investigating the strange rather than the mundane. Or worse! Or more subtle.

Don't write to please an audience. You won't win. Write because your heart is searching for that one thing the written word can only get a hold of. If that means you like to know how something ends, do it. However, if you feel that you don't want to know the entire story and only wanted a glimpse of a character's life, then go for it! It's your writing, your words, and most definitely, your choice. Just please, rate your items accordingly.

'Til next time!
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