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This is a standard piece of advice you read in articles talking about how a writer structures their scenes and chapters. It’s pretty logical; you always need to leave the reader wanting more.
This usually plays out with an ambiguous end to an action scene (where someone might or might not be injured), or a crucial bit of information is dropped like a bomb at the end of the chapter, compelling the reader to turn to the next one rather than putting the book down for a breather.
What I’ve always struggled with is the question of whether this doesn’t become a cliche’ unto itself. I mean, won’t the reader, at some point, realize there will always be a cliffhanger at the end of the scene or chapter, causing said device to lose its efficacy?
I know that I’ve read books where it gets old after a while, where reading the cliffhangers doesn’t make me go, “Oh my God, what happens next?!” And I start to ignore them altogether.
There’s also the fact that it can be pretty hard to sustain that kind of tension in each and every scene. Whether we like it or not, some scenes are simply ‘filler’ scenes, whose only purpose is to move the story from one Act to the next; and they might not contain any pivotal information or action sequences, but are nevertheless intrinsic to the story.
What happens then? Do you try to force a cliffhanger into it?
What do you think? Are cliffhangers always necessary? How else do you tackle the issue of keeping readers hooked?
I don’t think cliffhangers are necessary at the end of every scene or chapter, but there definitely needs to be something compelling to make the reader turn the page. I’m reading a book right now and the chapter I left off with last night left me feeling really sorry for one of the characters. I didn’t want to keep reading because of a cliffhanger, but because I felt so bad for the character, I wanted to read on to see if she felt better ‘the next day’. I simply couldn’t keep my eyes open to find out. I think that the reader needs to be invested in the story to keep them reading. Not every scene needs to be an ‘Oh my gosh’ moment, but I think the reader needs to feel something. If they don’t, then we, as authors, aren’t doing our job very well. JMHO
Well said. I agree
I agree with the above. Constant cliffhangers are a gimmick – your readers will figure it out before long and see your work as predictable. I think that even a poorly written book or a story that just isn’t compelling can be stuffed to the gills with cliffhangers — readers still won’t care. But a character that is deftly drawn and illuminated with flaws and motives that make him or her human and relatable might pull readers through a few less compelling sequences if the readers really care what happens to him/her.
Someone told me once that the best way to sequence a story was to have an action scene followed by a reaction scene, and continue the doublets through to the end. I’m not sure that any formula is the ‘right’ way… I think we all strive to find what works for us! Good luck!
That’s an interesting way of looking at it. I think placing those sort of “rules” can be restricting for a write, even though they’re meant to help.
Thanks for the comment! I appreciate the input!
Like everything else,I think its a question of balance. I like books that end some chapters with a cliffhanger and allow the rest to serve as a nice stopping point.
Agreed
I do think cliffhangers are needed, but not necessarily at the end of every single chapter. I think some chapters should leave me feeling fulfilled at the end of them it’s still the main conflict needs to be resolved. Good topic, thanks for bringing it up.
I agree. And that’s what I’m striving for in work.
Thanks!
Good question and comments.
I agree with you that ending every chapter with a cliffhanger isn’t necessary. Tension in a story can keep people reading, but it’s only effective if there are periods of less tension to offset it. From what I’ve read, each scene and each chapter should have a rise in conflict/tension, a mini-climax, and a resolution. If that’s true, the ending of a chapter needs to have a definitive ending of some sort, which may or may not leave room for a cliffhanger. A sudden rise in tension which has the sole purpose of acting as a cliffhanger will feel contrived. If there is a sentence or two that can act as a teaser leading into the next chapter, fine. If not, the reader should already feel involved with the characters and plot enough to keep reading.
I agree. I think if the writer has done a good enough job of creating well-rounded, interesting characters then there isn’t a need to have a cliffhanger at the end of each scene. The reader should be invested enough in the characters and story to keep reading.
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