[shoniker]

I have a picture book that I started more than two years ago and I think it has a lot of potential.  I have been revising and revising and I think I am just down to the ending.  It just doesn't seem to be right.  Any advice on how to make sure your ending is satisfying and keeps your reader coming back again and again.

[Artemesia Posts: 3,790 Status: Offline WWW]

Without knowing anything about your story, one way is to tie the ending in to the beginning, so that you have a nice circular structure.

 

[JulieM Posts: 986 Status: Offline WWW]

Or another way is with an unexpected twist to the story, to surprise and perhaps amuse (but it still has to make sense in terms of being something that suits your main character(s)).

[agulati Posts: 422 Status: Offline WWW]

Has your main character either solved his/her problem or found an equally satisfying solution?

[Tammi Posts: 1,342 Status: Offline WWW]

You all are GENIUSES! Those were exactly the same 3 suggestions I was going to make.

[Artemesia Posts: 3,790 Status: Offline WWW]

You all are GENIUSES!

Can I get that in writing? Oh, wait...you did write that. (maybe I'm not a genius after all )

[Betsy Posts: 2,106 Status: Offline PICKY EATERS WWW]

Pretend you're the reader--reading along and making guesses about how your story will end.  What would be the thing the reader would most expect?  Now do the exact opposite.  Always challenge expectations--if you can.

[Laura_6 Posts: 79 Status: Offline Embrace your inner child & love yourself. WWW]

I dont know if this will help, but I like ones with funny endings. (I don't know if yours is supposed to be humorous or not.)
I'm assuming that the conflict in your PB is solved and it has a happy ending, but on top of that, I always like a bit of humor. 
-- Laura

[Tammi Posts: 1,342 Status: Offline WWW]

Ha, Artemesia!

Another thing to think about:
Your main character should grow or change by the book's end.

[Abracabarbara Posts: 1,146 Status: Offline formerly AE aaa eee WWW]

What Artemesia said, what Julie said, what write said, what Tammi said, and what Betsy said.

It really depends on what your story demands and what you are trying to achieve. It also hinges on your plotting technique, your message(s) and character growth if they are important, IMHO.

[jenniferfisher]

I've always read that if the story can not have a happy ending, then it should leave the reader with a feeling of hope, nonetheless 

[shoniker]

Thanks everyone!  That gives me alot to think about.  I love that you can advise me without knowing about my story.  Now I can think about how that advise applies to my manuscript.  It is a funny book so the humor is there (I hope) and I love the idea of doing the opposite of what the reader expects.  Maybe I should have people read it and leave off my ending and ask them what they think will happen...

[ladylind]

Really great suggestions here. 

Now I'm trying to figure out which manuscript it is.  I'm guessing PERFECT.  Or is that too predictable a guess?