I can tell writers are getting cabin fever and feeling lonely. For years, one of the two most common final paragraph tropes I've seen in stories is "home." Sometimes it's a direct statement of theme, as in: "It felt good. It felt like... home."* Sometimes…

*made-up example

…it's an action, as in: "They took the first steps on the path toward home."** Which is fine! Home works. I buy stories that end with home. But these endings have been declining since the coronavirus shutdown started and everybody's…

**another totally made-up example

…been staying home. Home has lost some of its romance maybe? I dunno. But that's why I suspect writers are getting cabin fever. In the meantime, the recent rapid decline of the "home" ending has been replaced with a surge in "kiss" endings.

Kisses are good too.

Often, the kiss is something the character has longed for since the first paragraph.

Anyway, I always tell writers we should write our id issues. If we write the things that matter most to us, chances are it matters to a lot of readers too. Home matters less now, kisses more.

No matter the ending, the trick is to find a way to make it feel fresh and unique to that story. It's counterintuitive, but the specific is more relatable than the general.

Anyway, writers, I see you. Stay home if you can, stay safe, stay connected and don't get too lonely.