Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Unforgettable Heart-Stopping Cliffhangers

A couple weeks ago, I was watching an episode of Unforgettable. In one of the scenes the cops were calling a phone number to connect them with the killer they were chasing. During the mere seconds as the phone rang, my heart felt like it stopped and I couldn't breath. I felt heavy as I sat waiting to hear the murderer's voice. If the phone had rung just a few more times, I'd have probably passed out for lack of oxygen.

The end of the episode left me feeling the same way--with one of those all dreaded cliffhangers. It hooked me in and definitely got me wondering how they were going to tie up the loose ends created with the episode.

I've read some books that have done that to me. It's insane knowing I have to wait so long until the next book is released. I'd name the books but don't want to lessen the heartache felt at reading the last few words.

Anyway, how do you take cliffhangers? Do you end up growling at the book for a full 30 minutes (I did that with one book--ok, I'll tell you which one: Delirium by Lauren Oliver--loved the book, tho)? Do these types of ends grab you by the wrists, bringing you deeper into the thick of the story? Do they make you die to read more? Or can you shake the feeling off relatively fast?

PS: Don't forget to enter my Flash Fiction Contest here! Plus, read my own Flash Fiction. :D

Writing. Jewels. 

8 comments:

  1. I have a love-hate relationship with cliffhangers. Even if they're done right, they frustrate the heck out of me. But they work. I immediately picked up the Scorch Trials after Maze Runner, because I had to know what happened. And I'm dying to find out what happens in Pandemonium, even though I felt the same way as you did at the end of Delirium.

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    1. I love cliffhangers when the next book is on bookshelves. haha
      I'm listening to The Scorch Trials right now. It's way intense. Those poor kids. I hated what happend to Jack with the lightning. Gross, sad. And poor Theresa. :(

      I can't wait for Pandemonium either. Yay for finding out what happens. I fear there will be another cliffhanger at its end. Grrr.

      Thanks for the comment.

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  2. I think cliffhangers only work for me if it's like a cliffhanger to a new "arc" type of thing and the author has wrapped up the first story arc instead of just cutting everything off abruptly (which is why the Delirium ending kind of worked for me... I feel like I'm the only one who will say that!) One of my favourite growl-worthy cliffhangers was the one in The Knife of NEver Letting Go by Patrick Ness, let's just say I was ecstatic the second book was already released!

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    1. Yes, having the next book out when reading a cliffhanger ending is super nice. Not always the case, especially when I read a lot of books just as the first book comes out. Grrr! haha

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  3. Now and then, I have finished the last page of a book and said aloud, "What? That's it? They ended it there??!!!!" I vacillate between amazement that an author can pique my interest so intensely and a feeling of frustration that it didn't all get tied up neatly in a bow. Interesting to think about that, Julia.

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    1. I am serious, Julie. After I finished Delirium I literally growled at the book. My dad can attest for it. It was such a blunt end, I didn't know what to do with myself other than staring at the book urging it to answer my unanswered questions. Can't wait for Pandemonium to come out. Wahoo!

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  4. Gah! I hate them! I don't need everything tied up, but I think it's cruel (and sometimes lazy) to leave the reader hanging ;)

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  5. Hey there! I'm finally making the rounds and getting to other campaigners' blogs.

    Uhg. . . I hate them. But, I understand them. They are what keep me reading. I don't mind cliffhangers so much when they are from chapter to chapter. What I really can't stand, are the cliffhangers at the end of a book or show. I don't like to wait. At all.

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