One Story, Three Endings

I once wrote a short story that had a lot of promise, but I couldn't decide how I wanted it to end. So you know what I did? I wrote three different endings. I lost the story long ago, but always remembered the lesson I learned from that experience. Now it's your turn to try it...

This is a great way to stretch your imagination and writing skills. Sit down and compose a short story of no more than two pages. Just a quick sketch, really, that involves one or two characters and an interesting setting.

Now comes the fun part. Instead of writing one ending, think of three completely different ways to end the story. One could be tragic, one could be funny, one could be completely loony. Or, all three could be mysterious, but with a different outcome.

Here's what I learned when it happened to me: The first time you write an ending might be good...but the next time could be even better. I wrote the first two endings, trashed them, and the next day wrote an ending that was wildly different from those first two. And, surprise! It was much, much better!

It's especially helpful if you go into the story knowing that you could take it many different directions. You'll be amazed at how much better your writing becomes, and how much better you are at setting up an ending.

In fact, don't be surprised if you find yourself constantly re-writing your endings. There's nothing wrong with that!

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