What Is an Epilogue?

-- I have only written one or two books with epilogues. They always seemed to be clunky and weird to add to the end of a story. To know when and what an epilogue is, is to know how to observe and use them properly. --

I've asked myself this question multiple times. See, I have read many a book in my life, and not all have epilogues. Some do, some don't. Some have really long epilogues and some are less than two pages. And yet, whenever I come to the end of writing a novel, I think: 'Should it have an epilogue?' and 'How do I know if it should have an epilogue or not?'

Today, I am asking all my questions, and yours! If, by the time you're done this post and you still have questions, go down to the bottom and leave a comment with you question and I'll find the answer. ;)

Okay, we're starting this of pretty simple, I'll ask six questions and proceed to answer them as best I can. Here is my question list: Who features in an epilogue? What is an epilogue? When should an epilogue be set? Where are they found? Why are they there? How long should they be? And how do I know my book needs one?

Let's get to it!!

Who features in an epilogue?

I think that is a pretty generic question. The Main Character(s), usually. Unless you want to asd a special twist and change it up a little. Then maybe you can tell it from the POV of the dead person watching the MC move on without them...that would be sad. I'll revisit this down the line at the question 'When should an epilogue be set?'

What is an epilogue?

Good question, me! The simple definition I got off Google is this: Epilogue--'a section or speech at the end of a book or play that serves as a comment or conclusion to what has happened.' But this is a pretty bland definition, am I right? So let's dig a little deeper. Kindlepreneur describes an epilogue like this: 'An epilogue is part of the narrative, serving as a final ending to the story events.' This makes sense, doesn't it? Instead of simply having another chapter to round off your story, you write something a little different, something set a little later than the story to show off what the character's lives look like later.

When should an epilogue be set?

I kind of answered this question in the answer above, but an epilogue should be set a little while after the main narrative of the novel/book. It should let us see a little more into the future lives of the characters without continuing on with the bigger storyline.

Where are they found?

At the very end of a novel after the main story takes place. One of the definitions of the prefix epi is 'in addition'. An epilogue is the short log of events put in addition to the main storyline. :)

Why are they there?

An epilogue can impact a reader more than one might assume. In the end of Kara Swanson's book, Shadow, second in the series Heirs of Neverland, (spoilers ahead!!!!) her epilogue features the two main characters yeeeeeaaaaars later. But not only are they older, they're married and living happily ever after on Neverland's sandy shores .I believe that epilogue was placed there to heighten the reader's understanding of Kara's characters, Claire and Peter (yes, Peter Pan), and give them a reminder that there can be a happy ending for someone who's gone through a lot or stupid stuff. In all honesty, you can write your epilogue for whatever reason, as long as it matters to the characters.

They are there to bring closure, to show how your Main Character deals with the events of the story (which are usually really traumatic... *clears throat*) and give the reader the sense that 'oh, they're okay. Every thing is going to be okay....'

Or, of course, you could stoke that evil author inside you and leave it on a cliffhanger to keep the readers' jaws on the floor until the next book....

How long should they be?

This is the same as someone asking how long their chapters should be. It's all based on preference. Do you like long chapters (an epilogue is like a concluding chapter, so this makes sense to ask)? Do you like reading long or short epilogues? It all depends on how many words you, the writer, the author, want it to be. I once wrote a story with 60 chapters in it. Most of them were less than 1000 words. But they're still chapters, are they not? Had I written an epilogue, it would have been a short one, both to match the rest of the book, and also...just because I find short chapters so much funner to read. (That, my friend, is preference right there.)

How do I know my book needs an epilogue?

I got this information from Writing Mastery (link):

Ask yourself

• Will this epilogue add something that I can’t write into the story itself?

• Is this the most impactful way to end my book?

• Is a snapshot, or 'after picture' of my characters a common expectation of my genre?

• Is teasing the next book in the series something only an epilogue can achieve?

You need to remember, you do not have to write an epilogue. As writers, we are the servants to our books. We want what's best for them. We want to make them powerful and strong and perfect. We want them to stand out. Is an epilogue going to do that?

You want your epilogue to be

• Strong

• Concise

• The hook that keeps readers coming back for more

• Something that either brings closure...or not (see here)

I think that's all I have to say for now! Have a great day writing and God bless you.

Stay Strong,

Claudia