What are key features and pacing in a satisfying ending to a science fiction novel?

Question

My novel has been through multiple drafts and beta reads, and by and large is in good shape. I've learned how to cure a saggy middle, how to stay in point-of-view, how to keep the protagonist driving the action by working toward their want. And so on. The shape of my novel is generally OK, but by the time I reach the end (climax), I'm simply ready for all the ends to be tied up.So they are, all the contracts are filled, and by and large the ending does what it needs to. It solves the puzzle, neatly and tidily.But the ending still feels off to me and I can't put my finger on why. Perhaps it is too precipitous of a solution, or too little cost after the solution. The ending 'works,' but I'm wondering if there's something I'm missing. Example: Maybe the best endings throw one last small but unexpected challenge at the heroes, out of the blue. (Like Darth Vader joining the air fight in SW:ANH, maybe some ratchet up of stakes during the climax needs to happen). Or perhaps one of our heroes should die during the ending, maybe it is an emotional note that's missing. **Q: I'm wondering if there's consensus on what makes a great ending. What are the features.** I haven't seen anything online about this, and thought you insightful contributors might have thoughts.

Answer 1

There's no consistent way to make a great ending, and it depends greatly on what you want the book you're writing to be like. In your case, I think it's possible that everything being neat and tidy is just the problem. There's nothing wrong with a thread never quite getting wrapped up, with an outcome of a story not quite being clear, with a character's problems not being fully resolved. As good as it is to be consistent with tracking your plot threads, it's also important, maybe especially in sci-fi, to leave the reader with questions after the book is finished. How did that side story wrap up, how will this character deal with the things that they've experienced- leave them wondering!

Answer 2

It's possible (though of course difficult to know without actually reading your novel) that your ending is too neat. Science fiction often deals with questions of the great unknown, the final frontier, the limits of our understanding. It lives on the outskirts of our perceptions, and is at its best when it's asking big questions. Critically, these questions are rarely answered in full, because, well, we're never going to explore all of space, or fully understand AI, or any of these other big questions. Every Star Trek episode was wrapped up, but there was always something else out there, always a hint of mystery or a lingering question.

As you continue to revise, think about what questions your reader will still have about your story or your universe. How does your ending complicate the world, rather than tying everything up? What problems are left to solve? What fundamental questions about being human or about the universe still remain? How has your story opened up new possibilities?

Author Mary Sisson has a great article on endings that you can read here:

https://www.marysisson.com/blog/2013/1/14/the-too-neat-ending.html

Thanks for your question, and good luck!