By ALCG Books
February 8, 2024
Imagine that you've crafted an impressive novel, building tension, developing characters, and leading your readers on a thrilling journey to the climax. But alas, as the dust settles and the excitement of the climax fades, you encounter a common foe: the "resolution lull." It's that dreaded moment when readers, sensing the best of the story is behind them, begin to lose interest. The "resolution lull" is when readers believe they can safely predict the ending, which leaves them wondering if they should bother reading until the final page.
Keep your readers engaged with these tested tips from ALCG Books.
Keep it fresh with unexpected revelations.
Break free from the mold of a predictable story line by introducing unexpected twists and turns. Surprise your readers with plot developments they never saw coming.
For example, in N.K Jemisin's urban fantasy, The City We Became (2020), Jemisin introduces a stunning twist in the resolution by revealing the true nature of the city's antagonist, the Woman in White. Through a series of unexpected revelations about her origins and motivations, Jemisin subverts readers' expectations and transforms their understanding of the conflict. This surprising twist revitalizes the narrative and leaves readers eager to continue unravelling mysteries of the city's fate.
Dive deeper into character complexity.
Characters are the lifeblood of all stories. Even when you feel that you've taken a character's story as far as it can go, there's almost always more room to explore the depths of their psyche and challenge readers' expectations. When characters feel real and multi-dimensional, readers feel more compelled to follow their journey till the end.
This "deep dive" technique is evident in Yaa Gyasi's 2016 novel Homegoing, which explores the multi-generational saga of two half-sisters, Effie and Esi, and their descendants. Through richly drawn characters like Quey, Ness, and Marjorie, readers dive deep into themes of identity, heritage, and resilience. Emotional investment in the lives of these characters comes from an eagerness to uncover their fates and discover how their individual journeys intersect and evolve over time.
As readers follow the intertwining stories of these characters, they're drawn deeper into the narrative and enticed to discover how each character's arc will be resolved.
Apply the power of pacing.
Pacing is a subtle yet potent tool in a writer's arsenal. Break up intense scenes with moments of quiet introspection or anticipation-building lulls. Experiment with sentence structure and rhythm to create a dynamic flow that mirrors the ebb and flow of real life. By mastering pacing, you'll maintain a grip on your readers' attention and reduce their chances of drifting away.
Take for example Amy Tan's classic 1989 novel The Joy Luck Club, in which Tan employs pacing variation to maintain tension and momentum throughout the novel. By alternating between present-day struggles of the daughters and the past experiences of their mothers, Tan creates a dynamic narrative that keeps readers eagerly turning the pages. This strategic pacing technique prevents "resolution lull" while deepening readers' emotional investment in the characters and their stories.
Craft a compelling subplot.
While the main plot serves as the backbone of your story, don't underestimate the value of well-crafted subplot. These secondary storylines add depth, texture, and intrigue to your narrative, offering readers a welcome respite from the main action while propelling the story forward. Interweave subplots seamlessly, ensuring they enhance rather than distract from the central storyline.
Gabriel García Márquez uses this technique in his classic, magical realistic One Hundred Years of Solitude (1967). By interweaving multiple subplots that add richness and depth to the main narrative, Márquez keeps readers wanting to know more. One notable subplot revolves around the character of Colonel Aureliano Buendía, one of the descendants of the Buendía family. Through Colonel Aureliano Buendía's subplot, García Márquez explores themes of war, revolution, and the cyclical nature of history. As Colonel Aureliano becomes embroiled in various political conflicts throughout the novel, including the civil wars that plague the fictional town of Macondo, readers are given insight into the broader socio-political landscape of Latin America.
Never underestimate the effectiveness of a good subplot to keep readers turning your pages.
Leave more room for interpretation.
Childhood tales are often moralistic in ways that leave little room for interpretation. The witches are inarguably, intrinsically "bad," the princesses incontrovertibly "good," and the princes are chivalrous and righteous on their tall, handsome steeds. Perhaps we draw on these early forms of rigid storytelling as we grow and begin writing stories of our own.
By leaving some aspects of your story open to interpretation, especially as your story continues to evolve, you can spark lively discussions among your readers.
Toni Morrison's widely celebrated 1987 novel, Beloved, is known for its richly layered narrative and open-ended conclusion. Morrison invites readers to grapple with complex themes of trauma, memory and the legacy of slavery until the very last page. Unresolved questions around the eponymous character, Beloved, and the haunting presence of the past linger in readers' minds long after they've finished the novel.
Try these five techniques for overcoming the "resolution lull" and let ALCG Books know what you think! While you're at it, remember that that your stories don't need to end with the climax -- you can turn your novel's defining scene into a stepping stone to a satisfying conclusion.
Follow us online and subscribe to our blog for more satisfying tips on craft.