How do you create a triumphant ending? We touched on the why yesterday in “conversations” but today I wanted to put tools to the theory.
Just as a reminder: the point of the Final Battle is to convince the reader (and the character) that true character change has taken place by putting it to the test. You are waging an “internal battle” using external elements.
I like to use the movie The Patriot because it is an actual battle, but it also clearly illustrates the internal/external final battle of a story. The idea is: armed with the TRUTH, which has caused their epiphany, your character will face their last challenge, that thing they couldn’t do at the beginning of the story that they can no do (or are willing to face) at the end. In this last challenge, they’ll come face to face with the lie (or their inner flaws that have kept them from change), falter, embrace the truth/epiphany and then forge ahead in victory.
If you’re familiar with The Patriot (and if not, I’d suggest watching it – or at least just this part. 😉 ) Benjamin Martin’s militia is asked to fight on the line, a.k.a. fight honorably. They rise to the challenge, but, as the battle ensues, they falter and begin to retreat. Martin, meanwhile, has in his sights Tavington, the man who killed both his sons. He is running forward to kill him when he realizes that his men are fleeing. So, he has to make a choice – does he go after Tavington or help his men stay in the fight?
See, Martin has always believed that a man can’t fight honorably in war. His backstory/dark moment is that he committed a terrible crime as a youth fighting the French-Indian war, and he fears letting rage and revenge master him (something that happened early in the movie, and has taken the life of his two sons). He’s had his epiphany – that he can fight for honor – but now…in this moment, he has a choice.
Can he stay the course, fight with honor, or will he give into revenge?
Martin sees his chance and nearly takes it…until he sees an American flag on the ground. In a very metaphorical moment, Martin throws down his weapon and grabs the flag. Then he turns and calls his men back to action – choosing honor over revenge.
Of course, then, he is free to fight Tavington, having defeated the lie and realizing he can choose honor over the bloodthirsty man he’d been. But let’s break that sequence down:
Step One: Storm the Castle. What is that final thing your character needs to do to prove that he/she has changed?
Step Two: Falter, or be attacked by the Lie. How can their fears or flaws, their dark moment from their backstory rise up to make them falter?
Step Three: Hold onto the Truth! How can they be reminded of the truth or epiphany?
Step Four: Seize the Day – Victory! How do they complete their journey by showing they have confronted the lie, and chosen truth? How can they win?
Here’s a Visual Chart of the Triumphant ending:
Mapping out the spiritual journey can be as extensive or as minimal as you want. I like to define the Steps that I’ve just outlined and let the story and characterization take it from there.
One of the tricks that really helps me is to post the sequence of the Final Battle on my computer as I write so I know where I’m going.
It keeps me motivated that yes…there is a triumphant ending!
QUICK SKILLS: Plot out your final battle early in your story so you know how you’ll build your triumphant ending!
Have a great writing week! Susie May
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