The Problem With Endings (And Why Most Writers Struggle)

You know that feeling when you're watching a TV series you've loved for three seasons, and then the finale just... falls flat? Or when you tear through 300 pages of a novel only to have the ending feel rushed, unearned, or downright confusing?

Now imagine being the writer of that story. You've poured months—maybe years—into crafting characters, building tension, and layering in themes. But when it comes to sticking the landing? Suddenly you're stuck, second-guessing yourself, or worse: abandoning the project altogether.

Here's the uncomfortable truth: most writers never finish what they start, and those who do often struggle to create endings that resonate. But what if I told you that two seemingly unrelated productivity systems—NaNoWriMo's sprint methodology and Jerry Seinfeld's "Don't Break the Chain"—could be the solution you've been looking for?

Why Endings Are So Hard (And Why That's Actually Normal)

Before we dive into solutions, let's acknowledge why endings challenge even experienced writers. An ending isn't just the last chapter—it's where every promise you've made to your reader comes due. It needs to feel both surprising and inevitable, wrap up plot threads without feeling mechanical, and deliver emotional resonance that justifies the reader's investment.

No pressure, right?

The problem compounds when you're stuck in endless revision mode, constantly tweaking earlier chapters instead of pushing forward. Or when you lose momentum because life gets busy and your writing routine falls apart. This is where our two-pronged approach becomes invaluable.

The NaNoWriMo Mindset: Embracing Deadline-Driven Completion

If you're not familiar with NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), here's the essence: write 50,000 words in 30 days, no excuses. That's roughly 1,667 words per day. The beauty isn't in creating a perfect first draft—it's in creating a complete first draft.

Why this works for endings:

- Forward momentum prevents overthinking: When you're racing against a deadline, you don't have time to endlessly deliberate about whether your ending is "good enough." You write it, learn from it, and move on.

- Permission to be imperfect: NaNoWriMo culture celebrates messy first drafts. This liberates you from the paralyzing belief that your ending must be perfect on the first try.

- Pattern recognition through completion: You can't learn what makes a satisfying ending until you've written a few. Finishing multiple projects—even imperfectly—teaches you more than perfecting one opening chapter.

How to apply this approach:

Set a firm deadline for completing your current project. If you're starting fresh, commit to finishing a first draft in 30-60 days. If you're already mid-project, give yourself two weeks to write everything from your current chapter through to "The End."

Calculate your daily word count target, and treat it as non-negotiable. The goal isn't prose that sings—it's getting to an ending, any ending, so you have material to work with.

The "Don't Break the Chain" Method: Building Unstoppable Momentum

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld famously shared his productivity secret: write jokes every single day, and mark each day you complete the task with a big red X on a calendar. After a few days, you'll have a chain. Your only job? Don't break the chain.

The psychology here is brilliant. It transforms writing from a monumental task into a simple daily habit. It also taps into our natural aversion to breaking a streak—once you've written for seven days straight, the thought of seeing a gap in your chain becomes genuinely motivating.

Why this works for endings:

- Daily engagement keeps the ending alive in your mind: When you're thinking about your story every single day, you maintain narrative coherence. Your ending won't feel disconnected from earlier chapters because you never truly left the story world.

- Small daily wins reduce anxiety: Instead of facing "write the ending" as one overwhelming task, you're just maintaining your streak. This psychological reframe is powerful.

- Consistency reveals the path forward: Sometimes you don't know how a story should end until you've sat with it daily, turning it over in your mind. The chain method ensures you're always in conversation with your work.

How to implement this system:

Get a physical calendar or use an app like Habitica or Streaks. Your daily commitment doesn't have to be huge—even 15 minutes or 250 words counts. Mark an X for each day you complete your writing session.

The key is not setting the bar so high that you'll inevitably break the chain. Start with an achievable daily goal that you can maintain even on your busiest days.

Combining Both Methods: Your Ending Blueprint

Here's where the magic happens. Use both systems simultaneously for maximum impact:

Step 1: Set Your NaNoWriMo-Style Deadline

Decide when your first draft will be complete. Work backward to determine your daily word count target. Be realistic but ambitious.

Step 2: Establish Your Daily Chain Commitment

Set a minimum daily writing threshold that's achievable even on difficult days. This might be 15 minutes or 250 words—whatever feels sustainable for at least 30 days.

Step 3: Create Your Ending Roadmap

Before you start your sprint, spend one session brainstorming possible endings. Don't commit to one—just generate options. This gives your subconscious material to work with during your daily writing sessions.

Step 4: Track Both Metrics

Keep your calendar visible for chain-tracking, and maintain a separate tracker for your daily word count and overall progress toward your deadline.

Step 5: Embrace the Rough Draft

Remember: this first ending doesn't have to be the ending. It's your exploratory draft, where you discover what your story needs. The deadline ensures you'll get there; the chain ensures you'll maintain momentum.

The Ending You've Been Avoiding Is Waiting

Most writing advice about endings focuses on technique: craft satisfying character arcs, deliver thematic resonance, balance closure with ambiguity. That advice is useful, but only if you actually get to the ending in the first place.

The combination of deadline-driven sprinting and daily chain-building removes the two biggest obstacles to completing your story: procrastination and inconsistency. These systems don't guarantee your first ending will be perfect—but they guarantee you'll have an ending to refine.

And here's the secret that experienced writers know: endings get easier each time you write one. But only if you actually finish what you start.

So grab your calendar, set your deadline, and write that first X. Your ending is waiting—and it's closer than you think.