Today's ISWG question is, do you leave readers with a cliffhanger at the end of of book? If I'm writing a trilogy series, I leave some unfinished business. I don't think I've had a major cliffhanger right at the end of any of my books. I like cliffhangers at the end of chapters. It makes you want to read more.
The next part of the question is, do you find cliffhangers annoying? It depends. If I'm invested in the characters and story, having a cliffhanger makes me want to read the next book, which is hopefully available or coming soon. I don't like to wait long to find out what's going to happen. If I'm not invested in the characters, then I find it annoying. Maybe I want to know what's next, but I don't feel inclined to spend more time on the story. Then I'll be left hanging.
What about you? Do you use cliffhangers? How do you feel about them?
My book, Bubba and Squirt's Shield of Athena is in the All Author Cover of the month contest. If you feel inspired, please vote for it! (You can do it anonymously.) Here's the link: https://allauthor.com/cover-of-the-month/18775/
I'll play it again with another orchestra in 2026.
Hope you all have a fantastic Holiday Season! See you next year!
Video is cool!
ReplyDeleteNot a fan of cliffhangers.
Happy to go vote for your cover.
Thank you!
DeleteSuch a cool video! Congratulations on performing the Bohemian Rhapsody!
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays!
Hope you enjoyed the holidays!
DeleteI prefer satisfying ends to cliffhangers.
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteCliff hangers at the end of chapters are perfect. But at the end of a book? Not so much.
ReplyDeleteHappy you are having fun making music <3
I am having fun! It was quite a year for that!
DeleteVery cool. I don't like cliff hangers unless I have access to the next book or movie. Thanks for sharing. Happy holidays!
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays to you, too!
DeleteI like a combination of cliffhangers in series but with some ending to the plot in that book. And cliffhangers at the end of chapters are good to get readers to turn the pages.
ReplyDeleteI agree.
DeleteHi, Sherry!
ReplyDeleteI share your assessment of the cliffhanger device. It can be overused. I prefer a sense of closure at the end of chapters and books.
You shine as a soloist, Sherry. You play beautifully and earn major style points as well. Me? I'm 75 now and still learning to wave bye-bye.
Thank you for visiting Shady's Place today. My next post is December 15. If I don't see you again until next year, I want to wish you happy holidays right here and now. Take care, dear friend Sherry!
Happy New Year, Tom! Hope 2025 is a good one for you and your wife!
DeleteHow fun. Do you like performing "Bohemian Rhapsody"?
ReplyDeleteYes! It's a fabulous piece for the viola. So much fun to play!
DeleteCliff hangers at the ends of chapters are fine, but not at the ends of books - too disappointing.
ReplyDeleteI agree!
DeleteHopefully you are getting lots of votes for your cover.
ReplyDeleteI got a decent number of votes. Thanks for sharing about it! More people to see it!
DeleteI wished I could have seen you performing Queen. That album came out the year I graduated from high school.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great song!
DeleteI agree with you- that cliffhangers at the end of a chapter are good- but I don't usually enjoy them at the end of a book. I would imagine playing Bohemian Rhapsody would be fun! It sounds fabulous. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt was really exciting. Especially playing it for Dragon Con where the audience was waving their phone lights in the dark!
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