The unknown can be scary but most of the time, it is just that: unknown. However, it can be shocking if we think we know something that turns out to be different.

Normally, when you tell a story, you should tell the reader about the world the story is set in, at least a little. However, there are times when you might want to subvert the expectation of the story to give the ending more impact, to make it a twist ending.

One way to do this is with what I call a zoom-out ending where in the last paragraph it is as if the camera zooms out and you see the real situation. The Twilight Zone did this a lot. For example, in the episode Five Characters in Search of an Exit, we find out right at the end that the characters are all toys in a toy collections barrel. This device is also used a lot in jokes, where something isn’t funny until you see the real situation. A simple example of this is: “I don’t know why people don’t like eating the crusts. I love them, even if they don’t taste the same as the rest of the watermelon.”

Story Prompt: December 9, 2024

Write a story with a sudden reveal at the end

This story can be hard to think of sometimes, but good luck! Let me know if you write one. You can send me a link if you write a story for this prompt and post it on your own site or send it to me at info@greenwalledtreehouse.com. You can also submit your story here for a chance to have it published on the site next week.

Have a great week!