A story’s ending bears a special responsibility—if you fail to meet it, then you’ll disappoint your audience and betray the trust they’ve invested in your story. The ending must provide ultimate catharsis, by releasing the main source of tension right at its highest point. Muddling up the release of tension and creating multiple false endings will only confuse your audience. The ending must also distil the essence of the story itself and provide the moral. Creating the perfect ending requires mastering the art of timing. End a story swiftly—the last act should be the shortest.