How do I end my short story?

Question

I am writing a story about a boy who is pressured by his father, his family, and his culture to conform to the "normal" way of their life. Part of their culture is for boy to, at a cirtain age, take part in a test that should mould him into a man. Then he does his duty and conforms to the "norm". However, my boy is different, and doesn't know who he is or if he wants to conform like everyone else. I wanted the test he partakes in to prepare him for, not only manhood, but also how to deal the challanges he faces at home.

I need a twist that will take place after his big test, after he becomes a man, but im having a lot of difficulty trying to figure a good one out. Aside from the obvious: that he chooses to be different.
I think i might add a girl with the same ambition into the mix, so i'm also considering that.

Any idea's will help tremendously. Thanks!

Sorry, i must add that this is a school project, so "giving up" is not an option. Thanks.

Answer 1

Sounds like your main and other characters need a boost.

Re-sketch the details of your main and potential characters - start with looks, mannerisms, background, etc. Write the details down - or even draw them if you are a visual person.

Then take your main character or characters and imagine them in some new odd/out of the ordinary (out of your current work's context) places or scenarios – anything goes! Write down ideas on what would have to happen to your type of character or how they would react to the scenario you placed them in.

This may seem futile, but it will help you flesh out your characters further and give you insight into what you may want to happen to this type of character in a potential story. You may even come up with multiple story lines and can see if one of them just seems to be the best or easiest to continue

Strong well-crafted main characters can inspire readers to love your story as well as drive you to write a great story for these imagined beings to be in! :-)

This should get you going. Then you may want to write an outline of you story (a kind of synopsis), including the ending. I have heard that John Irving writes his endings first, down to the last line, and works backwards. The idea of the outline is to give you goals as you proceed. Writing the ending first may give you the "spark" you seek - and also

Answer 2

Do something to drastically change his outlook on the culture that he's decided to conform to. Have one of his family members, perhaps one thats persuaded him to take the test, or one that he's looked up to, die. Or for a less dramatic effect, the family member could commit a treason of some sort and be kicked out of the culture. He'll have to question his motives for wanting to conform at all- did he really do this for himself or to please his father? With his father not around anymore will he choose his own path?
I like the idea of a girl with the same ambition- maybe the twist can be related to her. He falls in love with her, but she's different in some way and his culture doesn't accept her, so he has to choose between love or what his father wants.
Yeah, sounds like a really good young adult type book.

Answer 3

If you cannot come up with something then give it up. Creative writing is just what it states. And that creativity has to come from the creator (in this case you); we cannot create something within your work. Like I said, if you can't cut it then it's time to move onto something else.