Plan The End From The Beginning

Jeane Level 1

November 28, 2018, 1:27 am

61

Write the reason you're deleting this FAQ

All writers work differently. Few writers can write anything without an outline of some sort - more like a blueprint from which you can deviate as the need calls for it. Along the way, when creating content, it is not unusual for some writers to get stuck. Why? They don't plan their endings.

Regardless of what you are writing, be it a story or an article, plan the ending or conclusion first. As long as you know where you are going, you'll do your best to find the best or most direct route that will get you there.

For example if you are writing an article about marketing, and your conclusion contains the steps that are supposed to get you results, then obviously writing the main body of your article will be relatively easy.

Comments

Please login or sign up to leave a comment

Join

theresajane

theresajane

I actually have heard it from scriptwriters. They usually plan for the end in the beginning, because it helps them create a path for the story and connect it to the place where they want to reach. But, actually, when I do it, I easily get swayed by different factors, this, I have a tendency to change my ending, far from what I planned beforehand.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Kakashi2020

Kakashi2020

To have an outlined storyline would make things simpler and it would guide the author on how to give the novel a good ending. But that is not always the case. Some good novelists don't plan their endings, it would just come to them when they're writing the story.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

nrnlss

nrnlss

I honestly do this myself, I don't know why but I can imagine it more if I know the ending of it.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

ballyhara

ballyhara

Oh me too. Usually, I have this feeling of writing about a subject, and I'm supposed to have exactly what I want to write and how to end it, and then I end up finishing in a whole total different way hahaha. I guess that I get caught in the middle of my writing, so I get excited with a subject, or I make emphasis in a topic about it, and then I lose my path.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

theresajane

theresajane

I didn't know that my situation is actually relatable. Well, I think turning away from a planned path is not new to humanity. Even with your plans in life, a single detail can change everything.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

cks003

cks003

Every writer has to plan before start writing an article or a book. The planning involves; how to write an attractive introduction, engaging contents, and most importantly how to end the story. The conclusion is the most important part, as it is the overall message that the writer intends to convey to the readers. In research related writings, the conclusion usually summarises the results, findings and how they are related to daily experiences. So before one starts writing, the usual way is to plan the end from the very beginning.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

HappyLady

HappyLady

I generally have an end or conclusion in mind, but begin to write the story and let it unfold and take itself where it will. That said, I am very aware of the beginning as a hook, of keeping the reader involved in the middle and the need for an ending that leaves the reader wanting more. While writing I consciously work to those things.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Alymae

Alymae

Me too. I have my desired ending and I just let the story flow. I write what I want and what I think is best. As long as I have my desired ending, the body would just flow. The challenge is how to keep it interesting especially the beginning. I find it enjoyable to weave the story that I want.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

nrnlss

nrnlss

That's really great, good for you. I have the same thoughts too, with how you make it interesting, since I am not really a good writer.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Youngshark

Youngshark

Begin with the end in mind. This is popular saying which is counted from the book habits of highly effective People.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

theresajane

theresajane

That's great to hear. Not everyone can actually stick to their desired endings because they are easily swayed by different factors, just like me. I may have an ending in my mind, but most of the time, I tend not to follow it. That's why I sometimes struggle.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

jpk0007

jpk0007

I think that this is certainly a great idea whenever you are writing any sort of creative content. I am relatively a novice to this field of writing and I have never experimented in such a manner whenever I write. I think that planning of the end beforehand will certainly help you to focus more on your content and avoid deviations from the topic which can happen sometimes. You can also save some time and effort when you know where you are going when it comes to your content. Minor adjustments can always be done in the ending part of your content whenever you feel like doing it.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

knnon

knnon

This is a great tip. I myself get stuck on my writing when I don't have a concrete plan or a conclusion about what I'm writing. Having it all planned out just makes sure you don't stray from the real topic of what you're writing.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Jeane

Jeane

That exactly is the reason why you need to know what your conclusion will be. It's hard to stray when you'll each time you feel like you straying realize that the direction you are heading isn't leading you to the point where you want to get thereby compelling you to focus only on what is relevant.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

nrnlss

nrnlss

Yes, you should write abd outline first. It is really effective, because you have a guide.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

theresajane

theresajane

Yes, I agree. Though I am a person who easily gets her ideas change because of a single detail, I think this advice is still helpful. It may be a way for me to get my work done fast than thinking of what comes next because I'm not yet sure of the ending.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

knnon

knnon

I do this with my article writing. I write an outline of how the article would go and it's honestly easier. I get to finish faster and I never leave out a single detail. This is the best tip that all writers need to listen to.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

amelia88

amelia88

I think that’s a good point. If you don’t have an ending planned, it can see you rambling on and deviating from the point your article was meant to make.

Having an ending planned means that your written piece should have clarity and direction.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Jeane

Jeane

You know one thing some writers would ask is how they can write the ending before they even start writing the article. Well a simple strategy would be determining what the purpose of writing that article is.

Why am I writing this article? A question one asks before they begin.

Makes it a lot easier to write articles loaded with valuable information.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

burgosmichael24

burgosmichael24

You can confidently write your stories if you know where you are going. Writing an article or stories is like a journey full of distractions everywhere. If you lose your focus, it's hard to get back. So having a definite conclusions will help you how to stay on track even in the midst of distractions.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Judas2018

Judas2018

If it's a script or screenplay? I normally have the ending 50% to 60% figured out before I start writing. If it's a review of a film or book, the end of my review normally comes naturally within the flow of the write-up.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Corzhens

Corzhens

You have mentioned "where you are going" which means the direction of your writing. It is important to have a guide for the direction because the story might have changed. I remember one veteran writer who said that one student wrote a story without an outline and he came up with an ending that made the antagonist the hero. That happened because there was no control in the flow and direction of the writing that the culmination became different from the expectation.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Jeane

Jeane

Writing without a plan has its pitfalls. In fiction there's always the danger of getting lost and if that happens someone reading your story won't fail to notice that you've lost the plot. At this point you'll lose the reader too. Same thing could happen when creating content for blogs or any website in general.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Wenkx03

Wenkx03

This is a great information. I always start writing when I got an idea for a story though I don't have plans how would it end. Now that you mention it. I think I would plan my story first before starting again.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Barida

Barida

Planning reduces the pressure that come with trying to do some things when it comes to writing. It is always necessary for us to do the things that are right when we are talking about making some nice contents as well.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Jeane

Jeane

Now that you mention it. I think I would plan my story first before starting again.

You should. It doesn't have to be anything elaborate which contains fancy details about everything that will happen in the story.

Divide your story into three chunks: the beginning (25% of your story), the middle (50% of your story) and the ending (25% of your story).

The first part is all about the setting, introducing your major characters and defining your characters goals and the obstacles that stand in their way. The second part will be about what your characters are doing to accomplish their goals. And then you head to the last part. Does your character get what they wanted? If so, how?

This way you can create a one page outline quickly. Even though it may not be too detailed, it would be much better than working without an outline altogether.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Bravosi

Bravosi

It's hard to plan the end, althought I'd say it's a good and smart decision. Especially if you want to have twists in your stories. But you also gotta consider the fact that a writer can change his story ending simply when being in the middle of a book. So then again, everything is possible. Planning the end is good, because if you'll be doing it randomly, then you might have a bad ending, as in a boring one.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

NerdIndeed

NerdIndeed

Hmm, maybe for some. But having an idea of how to begin and how to end is a much easier process. All you need to do is put more information in the body of the article like steps, examples, etc.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

ballyhara

ballyhara

Count me in! Honestly, I think ending is crucial, and I get disappointed when I don't know how to end up a storyline. Eventually, a writer can decide to change the end, because a twist on the plot, lead him into a different or more interesting end. No writer wants to end up the story with a boring final event.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

burgosmichael24

burgosmichael24

"A leader knows where he is going, why he is going and how to get there."

I once read that quotation and I believe the same goes with writers. A good writer is also a good leader. He leads his readers to where he wants them to be. A good writer is a good communicator and can bring their readers in another dimension through their words.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Barida

Barida

I always have an idea that I want to present when we are talking about working and this is something that is important to me as well. The truth is that you may not really enjoy some good times if you don't set out plans of what you intend to write before you begin with the work.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Kakashi2020

Kakashi2020

Having the ending before even writing the whole story is not something most writers would do, because that would take all the fun in writing.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

allyn2017

allyn2017

I don't think so, I think it will serves as guide to them.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Jelineex

Jelineex

I haven't tried that technique in writing an article. I have a typical style that starts from beginning till the end. I find it easy to do the task since I have the continuity of the idea. This will help me to have organize story. I have the whole concept on what to write and the end part will come naturally. This refrain me from being confused.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Youngshark

Youngshark

Actually whatever you are calling the blueprint helps a lot since it shows you the way and acts like some sort of torch so that you are easily guided as you write anything. I am fast in all my articles that i write with the assistance of a blueprint. I know all the points that originate from a single section heading hence my job is always swift.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

allyn2017

allyn2017

Yes, I agree with you. It help you, and it will serves as guide.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

jaymish3

jaymish3

I think it depends on what you are writing. If you are writing an article e.g a technical one than you can have an outline/blue print. However if you are fiction writer, I believe the story unfolds as you write. If you are writing fiction you simply cannot plan the end from the begging. If you talk to authors of fictional books they often don't know what will unfold as they sit down to write stories. The characters simply unfold as you write.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

allyn2017

allyn2017

Outlines are really good and it helps you write, you have a guide if you have an outline.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

NerdIndeed

NerdIndeed

If the niche is a story, I'm sure the writer already knows in his head the ending of his work. The beginning and end are usually previously thought of, and in the middle are fillers to make the story a little bit more interesting.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Martinsx1

Martinsx1

Although in writing there is what is called flashback, it's a writing tool that is used to bring something in the end or past up to the present moment for emphasis. This is only way it would be possible to jump in the end or middle of the work and use flashback to explain what happened.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

NerdIndeed

NerdIndeed

I see, but what I mean is during the thought process. I feel that writers already have an idea of how it should begin and how it will end. They only need to come up with the things in the middle to make the story more interesting.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

iambeth

iambeth

I also believe that most writers have a notion of the beginning and are aware of how their story will end, they just need to figure out the path their story is going to take to reach that ending.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

NerdIndeed

NerdIndeed

Exactly. If it's a love story, they already know who's who, what is his/her motive, how it will end, etc. Yes, what you said is what I'm trying to say right now, haha!

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

YoloBoy

YoloBoy

It is a good idea to create the ending in the beginning but I am the kind of person where I just keep on writing until my mind tells me to stop. I have been through this many times already where I want to end it but it seems so soon. I always get the certain "feeling" if this is the end or not. You just have to trust your instinct on when will you end the story or if enough is enough already.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Jeane

Jeane

You just have to trust your instinct on when will you end the story or if enough is enough already.

Agreed. The end of a story can be the beginning of another story. However, while no writer is under any obligation to furnish a closed ending, you might leave your readers disappointed if you don't. Stephen King's The Dark Tower is a good example of a well-written book with a disappointing ending. To avoid something like this you should know how the story will end.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Martinsx1

Martinsx1

Seriously, I wonder who jumps right into conclusion when they are writing on a new project. How can this be tallied out? How can you link it up? It's absolutely not possible by all means necessary.

You have to start from the scratch beginning, take it to the middle and then finally get it to the finish line.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Jelineex

Jelineex

Each of us has different style in writing a story or articles. Others, may find it easy to write from end to beginning. To make a summarize conclusion. For them to focus on whole the story. For me, I find it difficult to do. Thou, I have the idea of what I'm writing but my style should start from beginning to till the end. This will avoid confusion on my writing idea.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Jeane

Jeane

It's absolutely not possible by all means necessary.

You have to start from the scratch beginning, take it to the middle and then finally get it to the finish line.

You need to have an outline when you are writing. I'll use this analogy to clarify my point.

When you want to construct a house, you'll probably need a plan. You can get the job done without one yeah but you'll still have an idea of what you want in your mind. Instead of trying to picture it in your mind while you work, you make a sketch of it. From time to time as you work, you'll look at this sketch and make alterations as the need arises.

An outline when creating fiction or even when you are writing an article makes the whole writing process a lot easier. And if you have one, you can start writing your article or story from any point: the end, the middle or the beginning.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

JBeleren

JBeleren

You are correct, having a plan or a general outline of the story or article before beginning would make it a much easier endeavor. Starting from the middle or end of your outline to begin the story is a usual device that's being used. There are even terms used for it like "In medias res" which means a narrative work begins in the midst of the plot. It can be used to make a story more intriguing to the audience.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

hstinscdln

hstinscdln

Writers of TV shows from my country don't seem to plan the ending and plot of the their stories. They follow what the audience wants which makes their stories cliche. That is the main reason why I don't enjoy TV shows from my country and rather enjoy TV shows from other countries. Even so, TV show writers from my country are able to make the story longer and make more money out of it by simply following what the audience demands from them. However, if a critic would evaluate their works, I am pretty sure that they would fail the critic's standards. It is true that locals enjoy their works, but it is all there is to it. They won't be able to reach international standards most of the time. I agree that if you want to be acknowledge around the world, better to plan and structure your stories well. It is a way to make book lovers around the world and critics to appreciate your stories.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

JBeleren

JBeleren

As an avid watcher of TV shows there have been many instances of it being extended because of high ratings and it happens both locally and internationally. The difference is TV shows from the west have the advantage of being a one episode per week program and having an off season to prepare for the next season. The whole production can still have plenty of time to craft the details of the story and plan the shoot properly even if it gets extended and the story gets stretched unlike locally where a TV series is shown per day and runs for years without breaks.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

ballyhara

ballyhara

Well, that's exactly to what happens with soup stories. A story that was supposed to be aired during 2 months, end up lasting for 6 months or more, which is way too much for any audience. That's why I tend to stop watching a TV show after too many seasons. Writers get lost with so many small plots inside a big one at the same time, and the viewer tends to feel confused with such a mess.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

rlpzbeermoney

rlpzbeermoney

I think part of the fun of writing is making the story along the way. You never know when that big eureka moment hits you for the ending. Planning it from the very beginning seems to limit what you can do in the story. Having a general idea where the story will eventually go to is a better idea than planning the ending from the beginning.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

ballyhara

ballyhara

I tend to start that way, and eventually while I'm developing the story, somehow a potential ending comes to me. The issue is that while I'm telling the story, I unfold some other small topics, and I get lost by telling them. You may say is some kind of distracted mind, but it happens to me regularly.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

rlpzbeermoney

rlpzbeermoney

I'd advise that you take the general idea of the direction you're taking and break it down into parts. Write down ideas you have for that path. And when you've composed the direction, continue on with the story.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

ballyhara

ballyhara

Uhmm... interesting. Definitely a very good advice, so thanks a lot for that tip. Honestly, that can help me out a lot, because I need to keep on track somehow. That way I can go back and forward, but at the same time retake the main path after finishing every part. Thanks a lot.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

gutzman

gutzman

This is so true. The things that I think first were the title, a good introduction and the ending which would wrap up all the points and details which I would include in my work. Imagine a scroll. When you roll it, you can only see the title, the beginning and the ending but when you unroll it, you can read all the important details.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

JBeleren

JBeleren

This is correct. When you know where the story goes, it will be much easier for you to navigate through the details of your own story. It will be the same thing with the characters, when you know the ending of the story you can easily map the character arc of your characters and add details based on the development of the story. Sometimes though you write something but then you suddenly realize that you need to change the ending and if it really fits the whole story then change it. I had a friend that got stuck on a story because he was adamant that his main character needed to live but accepted in the end that the character needed to be killed off before he was able to finish his story.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Corzhens

Corzhens

One writer said that when you do not have a concrete plan for the direction of your story there is a probability that your story will be longer than what you expected. But sometimes the story is changed because you had thought of a better ending and it should conform with the events in the beginning. If you have an outline then the navigation will be smooth and the details will be easier to write.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

jaymish3

jaymish3

I agree that you need to have some sort of a plan or a guide. This is especially important when you are writing a technical piece. I don't know how practical this advise would be for a creative piece. From what I know about creative writers they kind of go where the story takes them They just write and give themselves a time limit. They have a rough guide but it can change.However I agree that failing to plan is planning to fail.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?