Imagine different scenarios for your characters. What if the hero failed? What if the villain won? Then choose the scenario that best fits the overall tone and message of your story. Also, consider the setting. If your story is set in a post - apocalyptic world, the ending could involve the characters either finding a new hope or succumbing to the harshness of the environment. This can help you come up with an ending that ties in well with the rest of the story.
Try to think about the consequences of the actions in your story. For instance, if a character made a bad decision, the ending could show the negative fallout from that. It makes the story feel more real and complete.
One tip is to tie up loose ends. Make sure all the plot points you introduced in the story are resolved in some way. For instance, if there was a mystery about a missing object, the ending should reveal what happened to it.
You could try looking back at the themes in your story. For example, if your story is about friendship, an ending that shows the strength or evolution of that friendship could work. Maybe the characters face a big challenge together and come out stronger on the other side.
Just start small. Don't aim for a long, complex depressing story right away. Write a short paragraph or two about a sad thought or event. It could be something as simple as a flower dying. This can help you get into the mood.
You could try taking a break from it. Step away for a while, do something completely different like going for a walk or reading a book. Sometimes, when you come back to your story, the ending will just pop into your head.
You could consider the theme of your story. If it's a love story, perhaps a happy ending like the characters getting married or a bittersweet one where they part ways but grow from the experience. Just think about what message you want to convey through the ending.
Well, you could try looking at similar stories for inspiration or take a break and come back to it with a fresh mind.
One simple way is to go back to the beginning. Think about the main character's initial goal. If it was to find a lost treasure, for example, the ending could be that they either find it or realize the real treasure was something else all along, like friendship. Another option is to think about the theme. If your story is about love conquering all, then an ending where the lovers are reunited would be fitting.
Think about real - life events or experiences that are related to the themes in your story. For instance, if your story is about love, think about real love stories you've heard or been a part of. You can also draw inspiration from nature. The cycle of seasons, the growth of plants, etc. could all be metaphorically related to your story and help you form an ending. If your story has a lot of action, think about how real - world conflicts are resolved. Maybe your characters can reach a truce like countries do after a long war.
Look in your recent files. Most devices and apps keep a record of recently accessed items. So, check there first.
Look at the scenes in your novel. Maybe you can split one long scene into two or three smaller ones. Describe the transition between these scenes more elaborately. Also, add more internal thoughts of the characters. What are they thinking while doing certain actions? Writing out these thoughts can increase the word count.