Picture prompt: Outline a closed ending for the characters in this image

Closed endings

In fiction, a closed or resolved ending is where everything in the story is resolved and the reader has a sense of closure. There will be a sense of clarity about what has happened and why as the ending ties up all the themes, character arcs and sub-plots in the story. Romance stories typically have closed, happy endings.

Picture prompt: Outline an open ending suggested by this image

Open endings Open endings leave the story open to the possibility of future developments in the story world, ie paving the way for a sequel or the next book in a series. This is the type of ending that leaves story threads dangling, waiting to be picked up the next instalment. The writer of a book with an open ending will need to provide closure on the main storyline even if the answers to certain questions the story raised remain unanswered.