Story that won't work

Put it away, but keep it in mind. I suspect the 'real' ending will come , maybe tommorrow, maybe a year or so from now. And you'll slap your forehead and say 'of course! why didn't I think of that earlier!'

There is no such thing as a dead work. Just one that needs more work.

Tburger said:

Anyone ever had a short story that just won't work? I've got this one short that I've been working on - a great concept and most of it flows well, but in the end it just doesn't "feel" right. I had submitted it to a couple of places but just withdrew it. If it's not working for me, I doubt it will work for anyone else. What's the solution? Put it away for a month or two until I can get a fresh perspective?​

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Yeah, look away for a bit.
Often the problem is something you've put in that "should" work, but doesn't. The problem may not be the end itself; it may be something you like earlier on that renders the story false.

I was thinking, I haven't ever had something like this happen, but then I just realized that I did! I started a short story a while back and plugged along before kind of tapering out and wondering, "Is there really a story here...?"

I think the reason is, in my case, I have a SITUATION, but not an actual PLOT to sustain a full story. It needs more conflict or...well, plot. I haven't worked on it in ages...though I hope to return to it someday! I guess I just have to let it simmer until a plot point should make its way along!

I've had similar problems. One was a story that just wouldn't end. I set it aside, and about a year later, I realized the ending--it was in an entirely different setting than I had started out with, though!

I've also written stories that I liked, but which weren't working as well as they could. I finished them anyway and hid them in a closet. A year later, I rewrote them.

When I get this feeling, it's always due to a character arc, plot element or theme being either weak or incomplete.

My checklist:

• Are objectives for all the major characters clear?
• Has all opposition to these objectives been explored and resolved?
• Have all conflicts been developed?
• Has each major character either achieved its objective or reacted/changed to not having achieved its objective?
• Are there any points of tension unaddressed or unresolved between characters?
• Is each resolution consistent with the motives and values of each character?
• Has any character changed along the way without explanation?
• Have characters reacted appropriately and visibly to any disasters or climaxes?
• Are there any glaring logic-holes or contradictions?
• Have all key thematic points been made?
• Are any outstanding thematic tensions resolved?