Today its my turn to present to you author Rebecca Graf and her work DEEP CONNECTIONS, a thrilling Paranormal Romance on her book tour hosted by Goddess Fish Tours.
The Torture of the Cliffhanger
by Rebecca Graf - 2013
I’m one to write cliffhangers. I like to end chapters with the reader wanting to scream and throw the book across the room. Why? Because of the torture of the cliffhanger.
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When you leave something unexplained, the reader is hooked. They have to know what is next. When a scene ends with a man shot while he is divulging the secrets, the reader doesn't just want to move on to find out if he lives or not. They have to. It drives them. They’ll stay up late at night to get through the cliffhanger. The best part of all is when another one quickly follows.
As a reader, cliffhangers drive me crazy. I like a chapter that ends neatly where I can turn off the light and go to bed. But the books I love the most are the ones that aren't so tidy at chapter ends. They have me wanting more and frustrated that I have to keep reading when I need to leave to pick the kids up. I might not like reading cliffhangers, but I love how they grab me.
Writing them? They are my favorite part. I love to build up a scene and then walk away leaving the reader frustrated and confused. Why? Because they’ll want more. When readers finish Deep Connections, they want Dark Connections. I leave them hanging at the end. Where is he? What happened? Really want to know? You have to read the next book.
Not everyone loves cliffhangers, but they are a sure fire way to keep the reader engaged and finishing the book. It works for TV series. It also works for books. Lead up to the climax of a scene and end the chapter. Get to the point where the door is opening to the dark attic and end the chapter. Have the reader needing to go on to discover what happened.
Cliffhangers are torturous. They are great!
As a reader, cliffhangers drive me crazy. I like a chapter that ends neatly where I can turn off the light and go to bed. But the books I love the most are the ones that aren't so tidy at chapter ends. They have me wanting more and frustrated that I have to keep reading when I need to leave to pick the kids up. I might not like reading cliffhangers, but I love how they grab me.
Writing them? They are my favorite part. I love to build up a scene and then walk away leaving the reader frustrated and confused. Why? Because they’ll want more. When readers finish Deep Connections, they want Dark Connections. I leave them hanging at the end. Where is he? What happened? Really want to know? You have to read the next book.
Not everyone loves cliffhangers, but they are a sure fire way to keep the reader engaged and finishing the book. It works for TV series. It also works for books. Lead up to the climax of a scene and end the chapter. Get to the point where the door is opening to the dark attic and end the chapter. Have the reader needing to go on to discover what happened.
Cliffhangers are torturous. They are great!
Rebecca Graf is a transplanted Southern girl living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her husband and three children. She worked for 20 years as an accountant before writing her first story and becoming a freelance writer online. She now writes full-time while going back to school for her history and English degree as well as run two online companies: Silver Tongue Press and The News in Books. Learn more about the author at: www.rebeccagraf.com
Excerpt
Brenna’s eyes fluttered open to see a blur of trees flying by. Her head pounded and her stomach began to roll from the pain she felt and the fast-changing scenery. A careful look at her surroundings told her she was in an older model car. She inhaled deeply to calm herself, but confusion set in as her senses were assaulted by unfamiliar smells. The old smell of the car was tainted with something repugnant and caused her nose to crinkle in response. Her eyes widened in fright as terrifying memories began to flood her mind. Turning slowly, afraid of what she might see, a gasp involuntarily escaped her vocal cords when she saw he was as repulsive as she remembered. Who was he and what did he want with her?
Sensing her stare, a pair of dark, soulless eyes turned towards her. A smile appeared on his unkempt face. “Well, well, sleeping beauty awakes.” Brenna’s stomach rolled again as she felt his eyes slide hungrily over her body. She pushed up against the door in an effort to put as much distance between the two of them as she could, but he shook his head in disapproval. “No need to be dramatic.” He turned his attention back to the road. “We both know you won’t jump out.”
She set her teeth and glared at him. Eyeballing her surroundings, she saw that there was no end to the trees that lined the road, no sign of civilization. She assumed they were still in the same state as when he grabbed her from the parking lot of the school where she taught. Deep down inside, she knew death awaited her no matter what. The look in his eye was not merciful. Yet jumping from the car to end her life seemed too selfish. As she was not one to keep such joy to herself, she quickly swung her body around and slammed into her abductor. Might as well let him in on the fun!
The force of her body colliding into his sent the car spinning out of control. She began fighting with all her might to prevent him from regaining control. Two sets of hands fought for control of the steering wheel. Profanities were shouted as the fight intensified. The car spun to the edge of the road where a small depression nestled in the forest. The tires left the ground when it hit the slight downward shift of the terrain, the car flipped and somersaulted twenty feet down the hill. As it took its final turn before slamming into a large pine tree, the passenger door flung open from the movement. Brenna thudded on the forest ground and barely missed a clump of trees. Stars exploded in her head and every bone in her body ached from the impact. She looked up to the fading light and let the darkness take possession.
Brenna’s eyes fluttered open to see a blur of trees flying by. Her head pounded and her stomach began to roll from the pain she felt and the fast-changing scenery. A careful look at her surroundings told her she was in an older model car. She inhaled deeply to calm herself, but confusion set in as her senses were assaulted by unfamiliar smells. The old smell of the car was tainted with something repugnant and caused her nose to crinkle in response. Her eyes widened in fright as terrifying memories began to flood her mind. Turning slowly, afraid of what she might see, a gasp involuntarily escaped her vocal cords when she saw he was as repulsive as she remembered. Who was he and what did he want with her?
Sensing her stare, a pair of dark, soulless eyes turned towards her. A smile appeared on his unkempt face. “Well, well, sleeping beauty awakes.” Brenna’s stomach rolled again as she felt his eyes slide hungrily over her body. She pushed up against the door in an effort to put as much distance between the two of them as she could, but he shook his head in disapproval. “No need to be dramatic.” He turned his attention back to the road. “We both know you won’t jump out.”
She set her teeth and glared at him. Eyeballing her surroundings, she saw that there was no end to the trees that lined the road, no sign of civilization. She assumed they were still in the same state as when he grabbed her from the parking lot of the school where she taught. Deep down inside, she knew death awaited her no matter what. The look in his eye was not merciful. Yet jumping from the car to end her life seemed too selfish. As she was not one to keep such joy to herself, she quickly swung her body around and slammed into her abductor. Might as well let him in on the fun!
The force of her body colliding into his sent the car spinning out of control. She began fighting with all her might to prevent him from regaining control. Two sets of hands fought for control of the steering wheel. Profanities were shouted as the fight intensified. The car spun to the edge of the road where a small depression nestled in the forest. The tires left the ground when it hit the slight downward shift of the terrain, the car flipped and somersaulted twenty feet down the hill. As it took its final turn before slamming into a large pine tree, the passenger door flung open from the movement. Brenna thudded on the forest ground and barely missed a clump of trees. Stars exploded in her head and every bone in her body ached from the impact. She looked up to the fading light and let the darkness take possession.
GIVEAWAY:
We have a tour wide giveaway and the prizes are 5 e-copies of "Deep Connections".
FOLLOW LINK HERE
FOLLOW LINK HERE
Just as love appears, so does the darkness. With her heart reaching out for one man, Brenna finds herself the target of an unknown stalker. Who is he? What does he want? How far will he go for her? Death is an option. Brenna discovers more than she bargained for and learns that the stalker will kill for her. It all comes down to decisions, and no matter what she chooses it will demand sacrifice and someone's blood.
March 27: Black Lion Tour Blog: Introduction.
March 28: Kimberly Lewis Blog: Guest Post.
March 29: Makayla's Book Reviews: Review and Guest Post.
March 30: Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer: Guest Post.
March 31: Bunny's Reviews Blog: Guest Post.
April 1: I know that Book: Interview.
April 3: Bella Online: Guest Post.
April 4: Laurie's Paranormal Reviews: Interview.
April 5: Clean Romance Reviews: Interview
April 6: Pure Jonel: Review and Interview.
April 7: Tina's Book Reviews: Guest Post.
A Novel Idea Live: Live Interview.
April 8: Lindsay's Scribblings: Review and Guest Post.
A Novel Idea Live Blog: Promo.
April 9: Libby's Library: Review.
April 10: Deal Sharing Aunt: Guest Post.
Thanks for having Rebecca today!
ReplyDeleteThank you for having me. It was fun!
ReplyDeleteNice excerpt
ReplyDeleteI'm one of those readers that isn't a huge fan of cliffhangers, though I will admit that they work:) I don't mind cliffhangers at the ends of chapters, those work well for me and, like she said, keep me up into the wee morning hours reading, but I don't care for cliffhangers at the end of books. Mostly because I'm not a patient person, and knowing I have to wait 6 months or a year to find out what happened is painful!
ReplyDeleteI definitely have a love/hate relationship with cliffhangers...they definitely are great for maintaining pacing and interest in the book...but you know...a person needs to sleep sometime! lol
ReplyDelete