Plotting - The internal cliffhanger

A very useful plot plot device

The first time I heard this phrase, the first thing that sprung to mind was, "What's an external cliff-hanger?" That aside, let's focus on what I do know.

An internal cliffhanger is a plot device that is written in the story to leave you wanting more. Think of the old black and white serials on TV. Each week you were left groaning, as you couldn't wait seven days to find out if the Lone Ranger would escape in time. Even modern soap operas have cliffhangers at the end of each episode - and two-part TV shows invariably break at an important cliffhanger.

Well that aspect of story telling lends itself to books too. The difference is that with a novel, you don't have to wait a week to find out what happens next.

A cliffhanger is often termed a page-turner in print. It's what keeps you reading just a little bit more. I read a lot at night and always like to finish at the end of a chapter. I have lost count of how many times the protagonist's fate is in the balance and I decide to read, 'just one more chapter.' Or I'm about to find out what's behind that door in the attic.

Just having an internal cliffhanger isn't enough. You need to have good writing too - but the choice of where to have the tease is all important.

As suggested, most writers put them at the end of each chapter to motivate the reader to keep turning those pages.

Some popular cliffhangers include:

1. A character is trapped

'Sam felt the water rising to his chin. If he didn't think of a way out in the next couple of minutes, he knew he would drown.'

The reader just has to find out how he escapes. This only works if the reader engages with the character and wants him to live (or conversely wants him to die).

2. A character has a plan

'"Don't worry," said Sam. "I have a cunning plan."'

The reader wants to know what the hero is going to do.

3. A character realises something

'"Of course,' said Sam. 'It's been staring me in the face all this time."'

This really engages the reader - as whatever has been staring the hero in the face must have been obvious to the reader too. What has he (have I) missed?

4. The narrator suggests something is about to happen

'Sam casually picked up the phone, not knowing that his next conversation would change his perception of the world forever.'

What on earth is going to be said? Who is on the telephone?

5. A character reveals a secret or similar

'"What none of you realise," said Sam, "is that I am Luke's father."'

Sorry George! A real bombshell, without explanation is another way to make the reader start the next chapter, desperate to find out more details. Is it true? If it is, how didn't I see it coming?

You have to be careful with cliffhangers. To paraphrase Alfred Hitchcock, once you've made a promise, you have to keep it - and soon. People won't wade through six more chapters to continue where you left them dangling. One change in scene generally is OK, to heighten the suspense, but if some readers see that Sam isn't featured on the first page of the new chapter, that may be an appropriate time to put down the book.

I've referred to cliffhangers at the end of chapters throughout. You don't have to limit them to this location, but it's the logical place to put them.

And please remember the purpose of a cliffhanger. It's to make it impossible to put down a book, which in turn makes it a more compelling read.

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