The Entity – A Novel

The Secret to Unforgettable Endings: James Scott Bell’s The Last Fifty Pages

I strongly recommend this book and the Audible recording as well. Every writer knows that beginnings are easy. But where is it going? Oh yeah, The Ending? A bit tougher. As James Scott Bell reminds us in his craft book The Last Fifty Pages: The Art and Craft of Unforgettable Endings, the final stretch of your novel will determine whether readers feel satisfied, recommend your book, and most importantly pick up the next book you write.

Do you land an ending that resonates? Bell offers two powerful tools: his book-long exploration of endings and his classic LOCK framework. Together, they create a roadmap for endings that leave readers breathless.

Why the Last Fifty Pages Matter

Bell argues that the first five pages might get your novel published, but the last fifty will build your career. Readers will forgive a slow start, but not a disappointing finish. The ending is your final promise fulfilled, the echo that lingers after the story closes.

In The Last Fifty Pages, Bell covers:

• The five types of endings—from happy to bittersweet to twist finales.
• Emotional punches—what he calls the “Ah” (satisfaction) and “Uh-oh” (surprise or dread).
• A simple method for crafting twists that feel earned, not cheap.
• His brainstorming tool, “Stew, Brew, Accrue, Do,” for generating ending ideas.
• The ultimate secret: resonance, that haunting sense of completeness that keeps readers thinking long after the book is closed.

The LOCK System: Bell’s LOCK method is a compact formula for structuring any novel. It stands for:

• L – Lead: A compelling protagonist readers care about.
• O – Objective: A clear goal or desire that drives the narrative.
• C – Confrontation: Rising conflict and obstacles that stand in the way.
• K – Knockout: The unforgettable ending that delivers emotional impact.

This system ensures that every novel has a backbone, moving from setup to struggle to pay off with clarity and momentum.

The genius of Bell’s approach is that LOCK and the last fifty pages are inseparable.

• Your Lead must face their ultimate test.
• The Objective must be resolved (or tragically lost).
• The Confrontation must crescendo into a climactic decision or showdown.
• And finally, the Knockout ending must hit with resonance. It is the emotional echo that makes a book unforgettable.

Think of endings like a symphony: the last movement doesn’t just conclude, it gathers every note and theme, leaving the audience in awe.

Avoiding the Pitfalls

Bell also warns against common mistakes: rushed endings, over-explaining, tying every thread too neatly, or delivering an out-of-nowhere twist that feels unearned. Instead, he pushes writers to build toward their endings with intention, so that the resolution feels both surprising and inevitable.

Final Thoughts

A weak ending is forgettable and even worse, regrettable for your reader. A strong ending turns readers into fans. James Scott Bell’s The Last Fifty Pages and his LOCK framework offer writers a practical, inspiring guide for delivering knockouts every time.

So, the next time you sit down to write, remember: Build your Lead with a Clear Objective and escalate the Confrontation to deliver a Knockout that lingers in the heart and mind of your reader.

Wishing you happy endings or at least a resonant one. All the best!