Do you worry that you need to scare your readers every so often just to keep them awake?
Don't do that. Here are 5 ways to keep them turning the pages--without the scare:
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Cliffhangers. Traditionally, authors keep readers turning pages by a skillful use of chapter breaks. If the Main Character--let's call him Herman--is left hanging by his fingers over the edge of a great ravine, readers worry. They turn the page to find out what happens next. And that is the question: what happens next? Don't cheat by omitting important information. The only thing you can omit is what happens next.
Make sure that the action in the next chapter is worth the wait and is sustained for a page or two. Otherwise, the reader will get wise, turn the page and read the next paragraph (where the chapter break SHOULD have been, reader thinks) and then closes the book. Keep the tension high enough to bridge that chapter break and keep the reader going.
Alternate POV chapters. A twist on the cliffhanger is when you are using multiple narrators or points-of-view. Then Chapter 1 ends on a cliffhanger for Herman, and Chapter 2 takes up Mildred's story, which ends in a cliffhanger. That leaves you free to catch up Herman's story for Chapter 3, which--of course--ends on a cliffhanger, too. This sort of leap-frogging characters and making sure each chapter ends with something held in suspense (i.e. what happens next?) makes for reader satisfaction.
Question. Instead of a literal cliffhanger, you can use a question or a mental cliffhanger. Here, you raise a major character or plot question in the reader's mind. Who was responsible for the tricycle that was placed in Herman's hallway, so that he tripped over it at midnight and broke his arm? It may be chapters and chapters before we find out, but that nagging question keeps me reading the book.
Character. Of course, for those writing character books, instead of action/adventure books, the question raised is one of character. What outrageous thing will this chapter do or say next? Because readers love characters who actually SAY the things the reader is thinking, but could never be brave enough to voice. Here, make sure that the character is truly unique and larger-than-life, someone we want to follow to the ends of the earth.
Twists, Turns, Surprises. Strong plots will always be unexpected. Pull a big switch, twist, surprise, or interesting turn of events--then end the chapter. The reader must read the next chapter to truly understand the ramifications of what has just happened.
Give your readers a TRICK instead of a treat; and they will repay you by turning the page and reading on.
I agree with all except one of these; when I'm wearing my reader hat, alternating points of view with unresolved cliffhangers drives me up the wall! I feel like the writer is just messing around, putting a football down and telling me to kick it only to pull it away and giggle when I run up. Then when we finally pick up that thread of the story again, days may have past since I last read the cliffhanger, and I've forgotten who these people are and why I'm supposed to be on the edge of my seat. I have the same beef with TV shows that end entire seasons with cliffhangers and expect you to wait three months for the big reveal.
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely not a scary book or novel fan, so I appreciate the different forms to keep me in suspense. All those you mentioned can be effective if used well. For me, the best of all is a well-developed character. I want to see his or her story resolved!
ReplyDeleteT.K.--I do know what you mean. I think it depends on the book, but I've read books with alternating POVs and one character is about to do something life-changing, the chapter ends, and I turn the page to be presented with his sister who is drinking tea or something non-exciting. :) I usually skim that sister chapter then and get back to the cliffhanger character, which is probably not what the author was going for either. In my own writing, I try to often end in a hook, but you can't always do this and it be natural. Ending chapters and beginning novels are two things I CONSTANTLY revise!
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