Hello everyone!
So, my main project right now is my vigilante/superhero series "Legacy of the Guardians." I've just finished book one, "The Crusader," and have started book two, "The Brother's Keeper." Now, I'm a huge Marvel Cinematic Universe fan and I've noticed that often times the after-credits scenes in movies tease the villain for the upcoming movies, or tease something such as a build-up to Infinity War.
So, at the end of Book 1, the MC has defeated the villain, saved the city, happy-go-lucky everything is all good. Then, in the final final final scene of the book, we meet him. There's a character that is brought up once or twice in book one named Jordan. It's not mentioned so much where you'd know who he is in the snap of a finger, but you'd [hopefully] recognize the name when you see it at the end. He shows up, talks to one of the characters, and drops the last spoken line of the book: "I'm going to make [MC's name] beg for the sweet relief of death." He proceeds to give the character he's speaking to a ghoulish smile, and the book ends.
It's a teaser/epilogue that introduces Jordan and tells the reader he's got some dastardly plot for the MC, but Book 1 is also 95% concluded and resolved. We do have one of the vigilantes leave to go to another city and look for a -certain- item, to that which will become a big plot point around book 4, but other than that book 1 is concluded. After reading this post, I'm beginning to think an ending like this is a bad idea.
What do you guys think? Cut out the whole "Jordan's going to make MC's life miserable" teaser and just start book 2, or leave it in there? I guess more importantly, since publishing is later down the road but still a goal, would this do more harm than good?
My intention is to tell the readers that this isn't over. I want them to fear for the MC, as to they've watched him grow from a nobody to the Crusader throughout book 1. I want the readers to end book 1 with concern, because this Jordan guy has something nasty coming MC's way.
Thanks!
So, my main project right now is my vigilante/superhero series "Legacy of the Guardians." I've just finished book one, "The Crusader," and have started book two, "The Brother's Keeper." Now, I'm a huge Marvel Cinematic Universe fan and I've noticed that often times the after-credits scenes in movies tease the villain for the upcoming movies, or tease something such as a build-up to Infinity War.
So, at the end of Book 1, the MC has defeated the villain, saved the city, happy-go-lucky everything is all good. Then, in the final final final scene of the book, we meet him. There's a character that is brought up once or twice in book one named Jordan. It's not mentioned so much where you'd know who he is in the snap of a finger, but you'd [hopefully] recognize the name when you see it at the end. He shows up, talks to one of the characters, and drops the last spoken line of the book: "I'm going to make [MC's name] beg for the sweet relief of death." He proceeds to give the character he's speaking to a ghoulish smile, and the book ends.
It's a teaser/epilogue that introduces Jordan and tells the reader he's got some dastardly plot for the MC, but Book 1 is also 95% concluded and resolved. We do have one of the vigilantes leave to go to another city and look for a -certain- item, to that which will become a big plot point around book 4, but other than that book 1 is concluded. After reading this post, I'm beginning to think an ending like this is a bad idea.
What do you guys think? Cut out the whole "Jordan's going to make MC's life miserable" teaser and just start book 2, or leave it in there? I guess more importantly, since publishing is later down the road but still a goal, would this do more harm than good?
My intention is to tell the readers that this isn't over. I want them to fear for the MC, as to they've watched him grow from a nobody to the Crusader throughout book 1. I want the readers to end book 1 with concern, because this Jordan guy has something nasty coming MC's way.
Thanks!
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