ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL: Endings in Short Fiction

In this seminar, we’ll look closer at one of the most confounding—and important—aspects of a short story: endings. Any writer knows that the right ending can elevate an otherwise pedestrian story, and the wrong ending can flatten pages of good work. We’ll consider all types of endings—traditional and experimental—and explore what makes them effective, discussing work by authors like Annie Proulx, George Saunders, Nam Le, and Danielle Evans.

We’ll also work through some generative craft exercises designed to help you improve your own endings. Students of all levels are encouraged to apply. Whether you write great stories with tepid endings, or just can’t figure out how to get to that final sentence, you’ll leave this class with a stronger critical understanding of what makes an ending feel like the “right” one, and how to get there on your own.