Insecure Writers Want to Know
I don’t mind a series that has an overall larger story arc, think Harry Potter here. But I don’t enjoy a “soap opera” type story that doesn’t seem to end. I believe each story plot or book needs to have a satisfying arc and a concrete ending to it. So, I guess I don’t like cliffhangers at the end of a book.
This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t plant questions in the reader’s mind about what might happen in the future for this world or situation you have created. Just don’t leave the reader with “Oh my gosh! When is that bomb going off?” or “Did Alan survive the car crash?”
If a story is well written and the characters are intriguing, the reader will want to see what happens next in their lives. Readers will understand there is more to the story situation. It’s not over yet. [Voldemort will come back!]
Story creation is not just about leaving a cliffhanger at the end of a book to entice readers to buy the next book. Leaving cliffhangers at the end of chapters, however, is encouraged. In story, we want to engage the reader, and have him truly care about our characters and want to read more about a particular situation or world.
Is this easy to do? Absolutely not! Not that I have written any novel-length sagas, but I know story. I know what I enjoy reading. I guess you’ve realized by now I don’t necessarily enjoy literary stories. I read plenty in college. I want an internal AND an external struggle. I love to see how the writer combines all the story threads into a satisfying and solid ending. How about you? Do you like cliffhangers at the end of a book?
I sold another essay to Business Insider about the importance of carrying enough water when backpacking the Appalachian Trail with children. I’ll let you know when it is live.
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This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. I’d like to thank our co-hosts for December: Ronel, Deniz, Pat Garcia, Olga Godim, and Cathrina Constantine! Please visit them if you can.
Our group posts on the first Wednesday of every month. To join us, or learn more about the group, click HERE.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all happy writing. May your holiday be filled with family and friends, music and celebrations. Enjoy your holiday!
I want each book to be complete as well.
Merry Christmas!
Yep, me too, Alex. Merry Christmas!
We’re in agreement in the cliffhanger question. You expressed it better than I did. Congratulations on the article.
Thank you! I need an ending when I read story. Thanks for your good wishes. And thanks for leaving a note at Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your holiday!
Congrats on selling a new story. How awesome! I like stories with an internal and external ARC too. And I agree with you that stories should be complete, though I believe some genres, especially fantasies sometime end with a cliffhanger.
Thank you, Natalie! Yes, to have a solid story, we need an internal and an external struggle. The present story should have an ending, but you are correct. I think the fantasies, and maybe science fiction, continue on. Enjoy your holiday!
Harry Potter is a great example of how a particular story can be tied up, but still leave the reader with the desire for more. Congratulations on selling your story.
Thank you, Liza. Yes, Harry Potter is one of the greats in story writing to understand how a story can be tied up at the end, yet still entice the reader to continue on. Enjoy your holiday!
If I’m reading something that I know is supposed to be a trilogy, then I can tolerate a cliffhanger. Note that I said “tolerate.” I’m still not thrilled about it, but I can tolerate it. For example, The Lord of the Rings. The important thing is that I know it’s a trilogy. I know a clear and definitive ending is coming.
I was reading a Sci-Fi series recently where every single book ends with a spaceship crashing, or some major character getting shot, or the protagonist’s kid getting kidnapped (seriously, that kid got kidnapped a lot). It was exhausting, and I gave up on that series, because there are like 20 books so far, and I have no idea if/when the author plans to end it.
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, J.S. I understand what you mean. I always like the present story to have a definitive ending, even though there is an overarching problem that can rear its ugly head again. Thanks for your note!
Apologize for the late response. I’m relearning my website/blog. Now I need to approve comments in a new way. Have a great day!
Congratulations on selling a new story! I don’t mind cliffhangers, and sometimes enjoy them. 🙂
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, Tyrean! And thanks for your good wishes. I truly appreciate them. Good for you enjoying cliffhangers. Thanks for leaving a note at Adventures in Writing.
congratulations on selling the article! That sounds like an impossible topic for parents. I like all. and I mean all of the threads tied up at the end.
important not impossible.lol thnx auto correct
Thank you, JQ! Not only is it scary running out of water on a summer hike, it’s life-threatening.
Yes, I enjoy all the threads tied up at the end of a story, too, JQ. Enjoy your holiday!
Love your example of cliffhangers that work. Happy holidays!
Ronel visiting for IWSG day Over and Done With. An Author’s Year in Review 2024
Thank you, Ronel. Yes, Harry Potter is the definitive word in how to complete a story in the novel, yet keep the reader wanting more in the overall series story. Happy Holidays!
Exactly as you said. I have the same thoughts myself.
Thank you for visiting Adventures in Writing, Olga, and leaving your thoughts. It’s truly appreciated. Happy Holidays!
I agree about soap opera type stories!
congratulations on selling your essay! Someday I’d like to try hiking part of the Appalachian Trail….
Thank you so much for your kind words, Deniz. They are greatly appreciated. The Appalachian Trail is an arduous climb, but so worth it. We’ve only done the AT in pieces, though.
Have a beautiful holiday!
Congratulations on selling your story. Always a wonderful mopmemnt.
On IWSG day, in the Scottish borders, our own mini trail to visit the odd one out of Scotland’s ancient monuments., maybe 2,000 years , maybe 2,500. . Renting with friends, the cottage was supposed to have wi-fi. Not, – so we missed all the amber warnings about Storm Darraghy, , Three days later, the journey home was too exciting, Winds up to 90 mph?
Warned properly, would we have set off ?
Yikes, Esther!! That is terrifying. So glad you made it back. And thanks for your note on Adventures in Writing. Have a beautiful holiday!
Hi,
I’m sorry I’m late.
I’m not too fond of Cliffhangers. If you want to keep me as a reader, don’t put a cliffhanger on the market because I will stop buying your books immediately.
Thank you for dropping by my blog and have a Merry Christmas.
Shalom
I’m later than you, Pat. Thanks for your note! No. I don’t like cliffhangers. I need the present story to have a solid ending, even if there is an overarching conflict that will arise again.
Apologize for the late response. I’m relearning my website/blog Adventures in Writing. Now I need to approve comments in a new way. Have a great day!