Love 'em? Hate 'em? And "why" on both accounts. Ready, steady, go! Seriously, though, as a writer, I like using them at the end of chapters to keep readers moving through the book. Time is so valuable these days, so when I have a reader's attention, I like to try to keep it. Cliffhangers at the end of books, however, are another matter. What's that saying about always leave them wanting more? The problem, I think, comes when there's too much time between releases. Of course, many readers think even one day is TOO LONG if they're waiting on an author they love. I tend to stay away from huge cliffies at the end of my books, but I'd love to hear thoughts from others.
I hate authors who leave books on cliffhangers, can maybe forgive it happening once in a series but not doing it constantly. Even if a book is part of a series I like to feel a sense of completion when i finish a book and cliffhangers take away that sense of completion.
Yeah, after the climax you need (imho) a comedown period and sense of completion at the very end with maybe a hint of what's to come in the next book.
I hate cliffhangers... bit it's a love-hate thing. I love them if the next book in the series is out... I hate them if they are GRRM and take 12 years to finish a book but decide to have a TV series made and let the show writers finish it for him.... if only the rat Bastard had a neck I could wrap my hands around........... Sorry.. went off on a pig trail there..
I love em'! I get super excited for new books after a cliffhanger. Books continuing without them are like starting a new story with an old character. I like to already know what is going on in the characters life if it is a series. Also, I like seeing authors styles in catching someone up in a series. It takes skill to not ruin a previous book with an info dump.
I love them at the end of chapters! Leaving a character at the beginning of a fight, or in a sticky situation is perfect fuel for me when I pick up the book again since I'm more apt to remember the cliffhanger than when I leave off in the middle of a random part of a story. At the end of a book, however, is questionable... Depends on how soon another book will be out, and if there was a solid conclusion to the current book's story.
While I understand the use of cliffhangers, I don't think I will ever use them myself. I also understand the use of end-of-the-story prologue exposition, but will never do it.
In general, I like the use of the occasional cliff-hanger at chapter ends but overuse gets old very quickly. I loathe cliff-hangers at the end of books, especially if there is an extended period before the publishing of the next volume. I think cliff hangers should be resolved within the volumes final climax but to leave certain threads wafting in the breeze unfinished, act as very good hooks into the next volume.
I love them! it makes remembering the book much easier, especially when you read a lot and stories get mixed up. Cliffhangers are memorable, therefore mark you, especially when well made!
