Unlock the Secrets of Cliffhangers: How Writers Keep You on the Edge of Your Seat
Look at this cliffhanger based on anger from Echo Park.
Pratt stood up.
“Tell you what, talk amongst yourselves. I’m going over to the boathouse to take a leak. When I come back I’ll need an answer.”
Pratt walked past Anthony, coming close, each man holding the other’s eyes in a hard stare of hatred.
CUT!
Short and to the point, but it illustrates the concept well enough. Show the emotion and cut like a movie director at a dramatic high mark.
Success or failure
Think of each character in a story as having their own character thread—with its ups and downs. Generally, when the protagonist is in a downswing, the villain is up. And vice versa. A great place to put a cliffhanger is right in the peak or valley of your viewpoint character’s swing, their success or failure.
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