Finishing a book is bittersweet—even more so when the author creates an impactful last line. The final line of a book is important as it is the last thing the reader will read and will stay with them long after they have finished the book. It should be memorable, profound, and leave an impact on the reader. It should also be in line with the overall theme and message of the book. It’s important to make sure that final line is in line with your story, characters and the message you want to convey.
The best authors know that leaving their readers wanting more with a captivating final line is the only way to end a book. But how do you write this last line? Here are three options to choose from. The right one for your book depends on your book’s main focus and themes.
Option 1: Final actions
It’s important to remember that to your readers, your book’s characters are real people. (That’s what makes books SO good!) So, one of the best things to do is to make your book’s protagonist take the next action to start the rest of his or her life—but it should be symbolic in a way that it represents what he or she learned over the course of the book.
This option is best for: Books where the main character has undergone a character change, books that have a shocking ending, books that will have a sequel.
Will Endres’ fantasy novel The Warder Chronicles: The Shadow Warrior moves readers with its powerful close:
Brun jumped off his horse with a grunt and inspected the area with a lantern Nathaniel had taken from the stables. Thousands of footprints led away from where the pile had been.
Every single body was gone.
The general followed the trail for only a few feet and stopped, gazing out into the darkness. Had they truly got up and walked away? How could this be? Dead were dead! There was no coming back from that.
“Sir,” said Nathaniel. “What will we do now?”
Brun felt a cold chill up his spine, even though he was dressed for warmth. “Get ready for war.”
Option 2: Final reflections and thoughts
If your book’s protagonist has gone through a major change in the novel, perhaps ending your book with a final thought from the main character would be best.
This option is best for: Books where it’s unclear how the narrator feels about the events that took place throughout the book (therefore, this ending is a final answer to your readers. This makes for a very satisfying conclusion.)
For example, I recently wrapped up the final edits on Sharon Hughson’s biblical historical fiction, A Laboring Hand. Martha, the sister of Lazarus and the book’s protagonist, undergoes a major character change over the course of the book and has some final thoughts that are very fitting for the end of the book:
Praise Yahweh for innumerable blessings.
By the grace of Yeshua, I will learn to serve Him—Them—with humlity and determination, not subbornness, pride, or duty. By the grace of Messiah.
So be it.
Amen.
Likewise, Stephanie Mossi’s hybrid memoir-self help Out of the Darkness has an equally powerful closing line:
I need to ask for help. I need to enjoy the time I have been given to be home with my daughter without feeling guilty about needing time to myself. I need to take care of me.
Because I’m important too.
And so are you!
Option 3: Final images
The final image you leave with your readers is often the most powerful at all. If you choose to share a final image, the most successful books are those that call upon one of the story’s central themes, especially those that are representative of your protagonist’s journey.
This option is best for: Books that leave your reader with a strong emotional experience (i.e., bawling their eyes out).
Veronica Tabares‘ time travel novel The True Story of the Perfect 36, which I recently finished copyediting, is a fantastic example of this. The book starts and ends with a character narrating a scene, and Veronica does a great job at buttoning up her book’s final scene with a lasting image.
In the distance the train reappears and begins a long journey over a high bridge. The kind of bridge that turns dreams into nightmares in the squeamish and faint of heart.
“—But that’s not the real story.”
As the last echo of Vanessa’s voice fades, the train completes its journey over the bridge and disappears into a dense forest. Only its smoke remains visible as it clears the trees and winds its way through the lonely countryside.
Far away, so far away it’s more a memory than an actual sound, a train whistle blows.
Book editor Kristen Hamilton is the owner and sole employee of Kristen Corrects, Inc., where she provides manuscript editing services for traditionally and self-publishing authors. Several authors whose books she has edited have won awards and have topped Amazon’s best sellers lists.
Reading is Kristen’s passion, so when the workday is over, she can usually be found curled up with a good book alongside her four cats. She loves watching cat videos and scary movies, eating pizza, teaching herself French, and traveling, and she is likely planning her next vacation. She lives outside of Boise, ID.