How to End a Memoir
Make the Final Line as Memorable as the First
At the end of a memoir how can a writer give a satisfying ending that is neither weak nor contrived?
The best place to start when deciding how to end a memoir is by looking at the theme of a book.
Themes
- A reader of a memoir about an emotional struggle will be willing the writer to overcome the struggles and be a better, more well adjusted or happier person by the end. To avoid a depressed reader try to give that to them in some form. If the ending of the memoir truly cannot be a happy one then avoid building expectations that it will be unless going for the shock factor.
- A reader of a memoir about a disaster or dangerous situation will want to know how the writer got out of that situation and how their life has been affected by it. As the situation will probably have also involved other people the reader will want a vague idea of what happened to them aswell.
- If the memoir has some sort of theme running through it, like the theme of writing skills which runs through Stephen King's memoir On Writing, then the reader will want the theme to carry through to the end.
- A reader of a celebrity memoir will want to end the book with all of the dirt dished and a promise of more in future memoirs
One main rule to remember is that, unless the memoir is just one of a series with more to come, then the reader will want a conclusion with all or most threads of the story finished off neatly. If a writer likes to leave a bit of uncertainty though then the odd teaser will not frustrate the reader too much.
How to Avoid a Sloppy End
After months or years of writing a memoir and now on the final lap it is all too easy to rush the ending. To do this will doom the book to be remembered as a disappointment that did not live up to the promise. Here are some tips to try to avoid this happening:
- Write a rough ending before you start the memoir. This will ensure that the ending is not just an afterthought and also give a goal to reach. Once the rest of the memoir is written the ending can be rewritten to tie the themes of the book together.
- Write three different endings and test them with the preceding thousand words by asking a willing volunteer or two to read them and say which they prefer.
- Before starting the memoir write a list of the things it should address and accomplish. Do this again after about 20,000 or 30,000 words. Once at the end of the book read both lists and see if everything has been achieved. If not try to achieve them within the last thousand words.
- Do not try to be too clever, complex or deeply insightful with the ending. This can sound insincere. Stick to simple and any wit, insightful thoughts or poetry will shine all on it's own without seeming forced.
Final Tip
Do not over analyse or over read the ending. Put the finished memoir away for at least six weeks and read another book. Preferably fiction. After six weeks read the memoir again and see if the ending is satisfying enough.
