It’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group day!

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?

Stories? As in books? Well, I guess it doesn’t matter because I won’t read something that isn’t finished. Cliffhangers at the end of a story implies (to me) that the story isn’t finished and I’ll have to purchase the next issue. If I’m not forewarned that the story is continuing through several more books (or issues), yeah, I’ll probably be ticked.

That being said, I do read series books. For example stories about siblings—and the reader meets all of them in the first book. A vague hint of each sibling’s problem are in each book. A good example would be Tina Radcliffe’s series books. Her Hearts of Oklahoma series is my favorite, but she also has the Lazy M Ranch series that I’m savoring now. I’ll read her romances without even glancing at the back cover blurb. Her characterization and story telling skills are excellent. 

I did read a Brenda Novak series where the thread of a crime wasn’t solved until the last book but there were clues throughout each book. It was well-done. 

And thinking back on my younger days, I bought a lot of magazines and read stories that continued through several issues. I wouldn’t do that today. I don’t have the patience for waiting and probably couldn’t remember to purchase the next issue. Or am I plagued with instant gratification?

But it doesn’t really matter what I like or dislike or what I think, if the writer can make it work s/he should go for it. But have thick skin just in case the criticism hits. After 50+ years, I have to say my skin still isn’t nearly thick enough. And way too often I pay attention to what isn’t said. I guess you might call that paranoia! 

That’s it until next month. Good writing and Merry Christmas to all of you.