John,

I always unfold the song into one large chorus.... to me, that just makes it easier to see where I'm at in a song and also to add and edit the song in a linear manner.

As far as endings.... Yup, I've had some instances in song projects where the default ending just didn't work for one reason or another. Everything from chords that cut off too early and abruptly to one of the instruments doing some goofy thing when it should be holding, or the ending just doesn't have the sonic quality it needs.

My solution is to add about 8 to 12 additional measures to the song before that default ending. Then, I simply create my own ending using the various edit command functions... usually I will place a hold of the last chord and follow it with 4 to 6 measures of letting that hold fade.

You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.