I generally don't have a problem with starting books or even the content of them. It's the ending where I struggle. The one that's giving me the most trouble is a story about a ragtag group of 6 girls who have to save the universe. They all have lives though. They can't stay together forever. How can I end a journey with a group of characters and have it not be abrupt? I don't necessarily want to kill my villain but it's not in his nature just to "turn good." At the point I am in development, they can't "seal him away." Any ideas? I can give more info on request.
You don't have to have him "turn good." Just have him be defeated. Not willing to put up a fight anymore because he knows he's lost for good and has lost all motivation.
Although if that doesn't sound doable, either, you could give more detail and I might be able to help.
If there is some sort of cosmic authority you could simply have your villain end up imprisoned, and even if there isn't you could have the people/beings of your world be inspired by the girls' actions and bring the villain to justice themselves. Then after the villain is one way or another out of commission you could have your characters simply part ways because they know they have to, it'd be a bitter sweet ending when they all have to leave each other but that doesn't mean it couldn't be really impactful. and then end on a bit of a hopeful note with something along the lines of having a character leave but stop and say over their shoulder that if your MC ever needs their help again or wants to go on another adventure all they gotta do is call.
Plus of course they could still stay in contact.
Holy hecc, these ideas are awesome! INSPIRATIOOOOOOOONNNN!!!! I think I'll have them rally the people together for one final stand before the villain is defeated. He'll lose all motivation and maybe be imprisoned? I'll work that but out. And yeah, I'll have them part ways but they'll stay in contact. Thanks guys!!!
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