IWSG is a writers’ support group created and led by Alex J. Cavanaugh.
At IWSG, we believe in the power of sharing and encouragement. Writers of all levels and genres can express their doubts and concerns without fear of judgment. Our community is a haven for all insecure writers!
This group is an immense help to many of us who do not mind sharing our insecurities and successes or giving others encouragement and support.
So, if you’re a writer seeking a supportive community, IWSG is the place for you. Join us and experience the benefits of sharing your journey with like-minded individuals. The link below will lead you directly to us.
https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.htm
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG, and the hashtag is #IWSG.
The awesome co-hosts for the December 4 posting of the IWSG are Ronel, Deniz, Pat Garcia, Olga Godim, and Cathrina Constantine!
CLIFFHANGERS ARE NOT MY LOVERS
Cliffhangers are not my lovers and not my friends. My biggest problem is they leave my emotional system in suspense, and I can only hold the tension for so long. Therefore, I compare cliffhangers to putting Christmas gifts under my tree days before I open them and expecting me to wait. By Christmas Eve, I have opened at least two or three presents because I can't hold the tension of not knowing what is in the boxes. My friends now know not to give me anything before Christmas to put under my tree because I won't wait. I never do.
Enjoy the Advent season and have a blessed Merry Christmas.
Shalom shalom,
Pat Garcia
Ah but what about those gifts that give you half then say you’ll get the rest next year? Now, those are the cliffhangers!
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting today - and all the other days. Have a good winter season and see you next year (ho-ho)
Jemima
I am not a cliffhanger fan either. Thank you for co-hosting this month and wishing you holiday joy.
ReplyDeleteYou're as bad as a little kid!
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting today.
I like that comparison to Christmas gifts left unopened. Ack, the suspense!
ReplyDeletePS thanks for co-hosting today, Pat! Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI'm such a dork. I misunderstood and instead thought cliffhangers, as in the end of a scene. You know, that trick to make up turn the page. Duh. Thanks for co-hosting, Pat. Thanks for being kind and compassionate. I hope your new year is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI have yet to find one of us who actually likes cliffhangers. Nice to visit, Pat.
ReplyDeleteI always loved the suspense of waiting till Christmas to open presents. I'd watch them appear under the tree, lift and shake them when my parents weren't looking, and imagine what wonderful treasures they held. But there was a clear end date to the suspense, so it was fine. A cliffhanger at the end of a novel rarely has a clear end date, and even if it does, it's months or years in the future. That's too long. The suspense wanes, and by the time the next book comes out, I've forgotten about the cliffhanger.
ReplyDelete"My biggest problem is they leave my emotional system in suspense, and I can only hold the tension for so long."
ReplyDeleteThis is a great way to describe it!
Sorry, google won't let me log in! https://thegirdleofmelian.blogspot.com/2024/12/co-hosting-iwsg-day-plus-ofmd-airport.html
Happy Holidays! I agree about cliffhangers--unless I get both books under the tree. 😁
ReplyDeleteI don't mind waiting a week to open my presents, but with a cliffhanger, it just leaves me in permanent uncertainty about the story because I'll never remember until I get hold of the next book. I know they are meant to make you run right out and get the next one, but what if it's not out yet? I don't need that kind of unresolved tension in my books. Actually, I generally try to keep my reading fairly low on the suspense scale.
ReplyDeleteYou said it so well, Pat..."emotional suspense" Perfect!
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting today!
ReplyDeleteFor me, it depends on when a cliffhanger is used. If there’s a cliffhanger at the end of a book of a series, I might get miffed. Especially depending on the wait until the next book to find out what happens next. A cliffhanger after the end of a chapter is a bit more acceptable. Just as long as it’s not overdone with every chapter ending with a cliffhanger. That’ll put me off.
Thanks for being a co-host! I don't mind cliffhangers, but mostly they are over used. Have a wonderful holiday season!!
ReplyDelete"My biggest problem is they leave my emotional system in suspense..." and who can remember until a year or so later when the sequel drops! Yes, it's a bad strategy, me thinks as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting. How many presents have you unwrapped today?
Rarely do I enjoy being hung over a cliff when I'm reading a story or watching a movie, but I think that if the story is told well enough it maybe can stand a lack of resolution. Some stories do seem to work like that. Then that's when my imagination and thought process has to kick in and that can be okay sometimes.
ReplyDeleteLee
Thank you for co-host ing today, Pat. I hope authors who engage in cliffhangers take note of today's #IWSG posts. Although, I am the opposite about opening presents; definitely like the suspense.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait either, for Christmas or an excellent ending.
ReplyDeleteWhy should we be expected to wait? Friends don't torture friends or fans. hehehe
Anna from elements of emaginette
LOL. Sounds like you have that child-like curiosity which makes for a great writer :-)
ReplyDeleteRonel visiting for IWSG day Over and Done With. An Author’s Year in Review 2024
I like you comparing a book ending to a Christmas gift. Made me smile.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't really thought about cliffhangers in that light. Interesting! I guess that explains why some people love them and some hate them. It's all in how you feel about suspense and anticipation. @samanthabwriter from
ReplyDeleteBalancing Act
I was much more curious as a child. Now I don't mind waiting to find out what's in the boxes under the tree. I think of cliffhangers as carefully crafted plot devices. Thank you for co-hosting!
ReplyDeleteSame here! I feel I was promised a complete book and was cheated out of it . . . especially if it's a ploy to force you to read more books in the series. I won't be!
ReplyDeleteI suppose if the series was already completed and each book published, I might be able to deal with cliffhangers. I would look at it as opening each new present immediately after finishing the first. But it would have to be a very good series! And absolutely finished, so I knew I would get to that ending eventually.
ReplyDeleteThank you for co-hosting today!
What a cute story about Christmas gifts. This made me smile and imagine the surprises awaiting you on Christmas morning. May you open each with joy! And let's try to forgive those writers who use cliffhangers. Maybe they're just beginners! And, thank YOU for co-hosting!
ReplyDelete