{"id":18562,"date":"2024-12-04T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-04T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pjmaclayne.com\/?p=18562"},"modified":"2024-12-03T19:23:06","modified_gmt":"2024-12-04T02:23:06","slug":"and-the-ending-is-iwsg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pjmaclayne.com\/?p=18562","title":{"rendered":"And the Ending Is . . . #IWSG"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

December 4 question – Do you write cliffhangers at the end of your stories? Are they a turn-off to you as a writer and\/or a reader?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Let\u2019s rock the neurotic writing world!<\/strong>
\nOur Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The awesome co-hosts for the<\/strong>\u00a0December 4\u00a0<\/strong>posting of the IWSG are\u00a0Ronel,<\/a>\u00a0Deniz,<\/a>\u00a0Pat Garcia,<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>Olga Godim<\/strong>,<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Cathrina Constantine!<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n

Don’t you want to know what happens next?<\/p>\n

Yeah, me too. And I don’t want to wait until the new book releases in a year or so. That’s a long time to wait.<\/p>\n

So no, I don’t like cliffhangers at the end of a book. (In the middle, it’s a given.) There was an author that I followed for a long time, and then he wrote a book that ended in a cliffhanger. Reluctantly, I waited for the next book. (Which was a disappointment. I’m afraid he’s lost his mojo. I haven’t bought any more.) I won’t share his name.<\/p>\n

And no, I don’t write cliffhangers. I don’t want to cheat my readers. Each of my books is a complete story. Even in my mysteries, which are chronological, the progression of the stories is built on the growth of the characters, rather than a continuing plot line. I work hard to make each book a stand-alone. (Although I may reference earlier books.)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

There may be wiggle room for authors who make it clear that a story is part of a continuing series before the first book is ever bought. But I’ve been known to not buy an otherwise enticing book if I’m aware that it ends in a cliffhanger.<\/p>\n

I won’t leave you hanging. That’s all I’ve got for this post.\u00a0 But, as always, please stay safe until the next time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n