Cliffhanger or Not

Don't do it. Ever.

It's a great way to make readers throw the book against the wall and curse your name.

What Chaos said. In fact, I recently read a book that ended in a cliffhanger. It's part of a planned trilogy and the second book was released a few weeks ago. So I could go buy it and find out what happens, but I am so angry with the author that I'm not going to. Ever. Not putting one more penny in that writer's pocket. Over the top and irrational reaction? You betcha, but it's mine.

Cliffhangers are tough. I personally don't mind an 'unhappy ending' in that the murderer doesn't necessary get caught, the hero doesn't get the girl and I'm left with more questions than answered.

However, the major plot lines for that story need to be resolved. Don't cheat the reader who may not want to get into a series. For example, we need to know who the killer is although, perhaps, there is a plausible question about whether or not he escaped the fiery crash.

Weak example, but a quick on off the top of my head. Star Wars was good. Left us with something to think on and anticipate, or we could quit at just one movie. Empire Strikes Back was not good, obviously just a cheap bridge to the next movie.

I just finished a book that was the first book in part of a planned triology, and it ended with a cliff hanger. I'd gotten the book for free as a reviewer, but if I'd spent the $15, I would have been outraged that I wasted my money. As it is, if I see this particular author pop up on the publisher's site again, I won't touch his books again.

A good, well-written book with a beginning, middle, and ending and good characters gets people to buy the next book, not a cliff hanger ending.

Why do you want to end on a cliffhanger? What is the purpose? Do you want to torture your readers? Do you want them to buy your next book?

Even if you have the sequel ready to go, it's not guaranteed that it would get published. Then what? Why did you leave your readers hanging like that? What do you want to accomplish?

In my experience, readers hate cliffhangers.

Doesn't mean you have to tie up every single loose end with Book 1 if you're planning more books. But Book 1 had better be able to stand on its own as a satisfying read.

What if one went the Star Wars route, where the first book ends wrapped up (more or less), but the second book ends on a cliffhanger?

Also, what if one has a story that's just too long to be told in one book?

Varthikes said:

What if one went the Star Wars route, where the first book ends wrapped up (more or less), but the second book ends on a cliffhanger?

Click to expand...

It's different because Lucas already have the sequels all planned out, plus they made $$$$ so the sequels were guaranteed. ESB and ROtJ are basically two-parter.

Rowling did the same thing. The first few books are all standalone (with an overall arc). Only the last few were done as a continuous plot with cliffhangers.

If you have an established series and a definite fan base, then it may work. If it's your first book, then a cliffhanger would be a bad idea.