Capture Attention by Writing a Cliffhanger
Write a Novel Readers Can't Put Down
In fiction writing, the goal should be to create a story that compels the reader to turn the page. Writers can use cliffhangers to help accomplish this. When a person considers using this technique, he or she should know how to use cliffhangers effectively and where to place them in the story.
Build Suspense Into a Story
Every story has elements of suspense, regardless of its genre. As a general rule, you’ll want to include more suspense as the age of the target audience increases. If a person writes for children, he or she might want to incorporate suspense in a who-done-it fashion, where the suspense involves some risk but maintains a sense of safety for the reader. For older readers, authors can eliminate the safety net.
When writers look at how to build suspense in a novel, they want to make sure they lead up to the cliffhanger. The first step is to hook the reader. Once this is accomplished, the writer needs to then begin layering the tension into the story, so he or she can reach the first cliffhanger at the end of the first chapter.
Utilize the Elements of Cliffhangers to Propel the Reader to the Next Chapter
Once an author reaches the first logical place for a cliffhanger, he or she should determine which type of event to use. There are a few options from which to choose:
- Throw the main character into a dilemma;
- Reveal information that requires the reader to continue the story;
- Or expose a twist or a plot turn.
The type of cliffhanger used will depend on where the writer is in the story. For example, most writers don’t want to reveal a plot turn at the end of chapter one. They want to save that moment, or that information, until they reach a point in the story where it will have a better impact.
Write a Novel to Maintain Reader Interest
Using cliffhangers at the end of the chapters can help encourage readers to turn the page instead of stopping at the chapter break, but a writer also needs to plan the story so it continues to build suspense.
Writers don’t want to solve or answer the cliffhanger as soon as they start the next chapter. If they do, the reader will get the information to sate his or her curiosity and perhaps choose to stop reading. Instead, a writer should weave the information into the chapter.
Authors should also remember that each cliffhanger should be bigger and better than the previous one. This leads to the climax of the story, which should be the highest point of the plot. When writers look at the plot in this way, they should be able to see peaks of suspension followed by valleys of respite that still move advance the plot.
Weave Writing Techniques Together to Write Fiction
Cliffhangers are just one element involved in writing fiction novels. Authors also want to develop tools like hooking the reader, using beats to bring dialogue to life, and pacing. With these tools, a writer can craft a novel that has a better chance of getting published.
Write a Novel with Cliffhangers
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