Denouement is a a French word, literally meaning, “untie the knot.” In the structure of a story, it’s the point near the end where the conflicts, entanglements, and challenges are resolved (untied and smoothed out, according to the French), bringing the plot to a satisfying and read-worthy conclusion.
Choose Your Definition
Some writers use the literal definition of the word as they resolve all of the turmoil they have to create in their work. I tend to use the term in the opposite way — I gather together all of the plot threads I’ve created and ensure that things are wrapped up in a neat, tidy bow (as opposed to the literal definition where the knot is untied and all plot bits are smoothed out as the story ends). How you decide to use the definition is up to you, but it’s a vital element in the process of writing a story. Conflicts need to be resolved. Questions need to be answered. Clues need to be revealed, along with the reason why they were put there in the first place.
Find the Stragglers
Whether you’re smoothing out or gathering up, those loose ends need to be found and dealt with. Keeping track of them can be as simple as a separate list of issues and objects that need to be resolved and/or revealed before the story ends. Jot them down as you write so you don’t forget. Plot clocks are handy devices, or an easy-to-follow table can be created with sections for each chapter, summarizing what happens in each so that as you near the end, you can take a look back and see what needs to be taken care of before that last sentence is written. Writing software programs may have features (or the ability to customize) that can keep track of these wayward plot strands.
Read and Discover
Finally, read through the finished draft as a reader, not the writer. Read it more than once. Read it out loud. Read it on the screen and perhaps print out a hard copy. Take a break and read it again. Were you left wondering about something? Was part of the story unresolved? Did you have questions that went unanswered? Now is the time to corral those errant plot cords that need to be smoothed out or gathered into a neat, tidy bow (however you decide to approach this part of the process).
The good news is that by the time you reach this part of the writing journey, you’re nearing the end of the story! Hopefully, you already have thoughts and ideas about how things are supposed to come together and things are well in hand. Employing the denouement (gather or smooth, whichever you prefer) will ensure your story is well on its way to an entertaining, satisfying end!
Photo by Anne Hawkinson
