And the Ending Is . . . #IWSG

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.

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the December 4 posting of the IWSG are Ronel, Deniz, Pat Garcia, Olga Godim, and Cathrina Constantine!

Don’t you want to know what happens next?

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.

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.

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.)

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.

I won’t leave you hanging. That’s all I’ve got for this post.  But, as always, please stay safe until the next time.