StoryMash Creative Storytelling Forum

I am having trouble making a good ending to my story, I usually just tend to blab around and go with one of those cheezy endings like "and they never ate mashed potatoes again.".
Is there any advice someone could give for a good ending of a story.

Also I am having trouble creating a second story line, like the personal story and the general story. Anyone have any good ideas for a second story line or advice for coming up with second story lines?

I love that ending...and they never ate mashed potatoes again. Don't question your own writing instincts. Read a lot of other authors' endings. But at the end of the day (no pun intended) the ending that makes sense to you helps define you as a writer.

Second story lines...hmmm. There is a story within every story. They are most interesting to a reader when the multiple story lines share a theme, a thread, a collision in time and space...whatever.

I think if you are going to continue the story, there are several ways to end a chapter. If your writing is done well, a cliffhanger ending isn't necessary, but it does draw a reader in and makes them click that 'next' button. Such as, 'Their next meal would prove to be fatal.' (LOL) Or, if you are stuck on the piece, end it somewhere that you can pick back up at a later point in the story. 'The day's work was done, all of the potatoes plucked from their loamy abodes, and the old farmhand thought it wise to retire for the night." You can always just leave it the way it is, keep in draft form, and propose several endings for reader critique. I am by no means a perfect writer and maybe you should not even listen to me, really. But, alharris gave you some great advice. Read other author's endings. It all comes down to what YOU want. Good Luck!