Cliffhangers

Many people believe that the phrase “cliffhanger” originated with Thomas Hardy's serial novel, A Pair of Blue Eyes, in 1873. Hardy chose to leave one of the main protagonists literally hanging off a cliff staring into the stony eyes of a trilobite embedded in the rock. 

Whatever the origins of the term, it is essential for authors to master the art of the cliffhanger in their novels.  How a chapter ends is equally, if not more important, than how it begins.  Good writing grips readers and dares them to put the book down at the chapter’s end. 

Pay close attention to how you end your chapters.  Not every chapter can or should be a cliffhanger (too much of a good thing can wear out your readers), but where possible make the end of your chapters count.  Be bold!

By Jeff Altabef, author of the dystopian political thriller Fourteenth Colony.  Half or my proceeds goes to the Covenant House, so enjoy a great book and help homeless youth at the same time.  http://www.amazon.com/Fourteenth-Colony-Jeff-Altabef/dp/1625104529/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=13...