I have been reading a large variety of books, and I find the most poignant difference between classics and self-published books is the use of cliff-hangers, open ending, and series hooks. I have read at least three of these kinds of endings this year alone. To be honest, I hate a book that doesn’t end. There was a time in my late teens that I even refused to read any book that was part of a series and mostly only read biographies. I know how a biography ends, the person dies.
It has become common advice online and even in some writing books for emerging writers that they should strive to never completely wrap up their story. Some even advocate cliff-hangers and open endings as a method to emotionally manipulate the reader to buy your next book. Never mind just proving yourself as a good writer with a loyal following, instead, you need to create dissonance in your reader’s emotions so they are clamoring for the next volume. For me personally, I might buy the next book to complete the story, but I will never buy another book from that author again. I read to relax, escape, and have fun. A book or series that causes me stress and manipulates my emotions in highly artificial ways is a betrayal of trust.
Perhaps, I am unusual, but I don’t think so. I have seen article after article of people wanting stand-alone books. The interest in short stories also ensures an ending to the story arc. Why is it that the vast majority of classic books are stand-alone? There are some famous series as well, but I would argue that the series ends and that each book has its own story arc that tends to end. With all generalities, there are exceptions, but I feel comfortable in saying that they are truly the exceptions.
Classic novels follow the main character into a major problem that spikes in a climax and wraps up in an ending. During the course of this dilemma, the character changes and the dilemma effects them in profound was. Anyone can create a problem or mystery to be solved, but a truly talented writer comes up with an amazing solution that makes the book satisfying to read.
The problem with a cliff-hanger ending is that many writers don’t deliver on what they promise. Either the next book isn’t written or the writer has left out everything that drew me to the next story. I also am repulsed by the complete lack of respect for the time and emotional energy it takes to read a novel. This complaint comes from a person who has read a 100,000-word novel in a single day many times. This is a full day that I have given to you as a writer that I will never get back.
So, as one who is happy to read your books and even review them, respect my time. Give me a story that you took the time to finish. I love a good story, but no more cliff-hanger, please!
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What do you think?