Welcome to IWSG Day. The goal of this blog hop is to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a haven for insecure writers of all kinds. IWSG is the brainchild of Alex Cavanaugh. Thank you to December co-hosts: Ronel, Deniz, Pat Garcia, Olga Godim, and Cathrina Constantine! To find links to all contributors, click here.
December 4 question - Do you write cliffhangers at the
end of your stories? Are they a turn-off to you as a writer and/or a reader?
Since I write what I like to read and I’m a tie-it-up-in-a-ribbon
type of reader, I stay clear of the cliffs. High stakes is one thing. Of course we want to keep readers engaged but to me, leaving readers hanging at the end of a book seems
like a manipulative way of doing so. I’m fine with stories that leave
points open to interpretation, but if the plot isn’t resolved by the end, I’ll be
disinclined to read that author in the future.
On other topics, the house is partially decorated and I’ve
bought a few presents. I’m looking forward to our annual festival on the common
this weekend I’ve written about so many times here. All of the local
churches gather together and offer jumble sales, meat raffles, book sales and clam chowder. In various iterations, Santa has arrived by boat or fire truck. Now he arrives in a vintage car and sits outdoors on a sleigh in the middle of
the town common for photos. At noon, a band made up of former high school
musicians from the surrounding area performs a Christmas concert in a church
that has stood since the 1700’s. The whole thing is low on pizzaz, high on
charm and it’s one of my favorite days of the year.
Wishing you all the happiness of the season.
What are your favorite holiday traditions?
14 comments:
I don't like cliffhangers either.
That sounds like a great celebration. Wish our town did something like that.
I don't mind cliffhangers in some genres, like fantasy and mystery. I'm glad you're looking forward to the festival this year. I'm getting ready to visit my father-in-law for a few days. It's part of my self-care this year for the holidays, which can still be hard for me. Happy Holidays!
What a wonderful New England tradition. I'm all in for the clam chowder.
The festival sounds lovely! Hope you have a great time!
Wishing you a very happy holiday season!
Merry Christmas! Enjoy the festival!
High on charm - that sounds wonderful. I picture a Gilmore Girls life - snow always was perfect on that show. Enjoy!
I want books that might continue characters in the future, but the action has finished for that book. How's yours really coming along? I have high hopes for you in 2025. Meanwhile, enjoy the season.
That sounds so festive and wonderful. Enjoy and have a great holiday season.
Anna from elements of emaginette
Happy Christmas, Liza. Seems like you are further forward than we are!
Oh, Santa in a Vintage car. How charming. Happy holidays to you and yours!
Hi Liza - high on charm ... makes sense - I suspect ours is hiding somewhere - not v high on charm! Actually thinking about it - the bus drivers have a day collecting for a charity ... each route has a day - so I do get caught in that - which brings a fair amount of charity in... cheers Hilary
Hi Liza , it's been a very busy week but wanted to make sure I got to your blog! Cliff hangers are for movies that cost a nickle and you're willing to come back the next week to see what happens! I remember writing EBWhite about the open ending of Stuart Little. Me and my best pal were deeply miffed. We felt that it wasn't our job to imagine what happened but the writers.
Your village celebration sounds just plain heavenly.
I love all the light displays and festivals. @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act
Wow! Your holiday festivities sound like so much fun! Lucky you!
I agree with your statement: "I’m fine with stories that leave points open to interpretation, but if the plot isn’t resolved by the end, I’ll be disinclined to read that author in the future." Me too, Liza!
Hi Lisa, I agree with you that cliffhangers feel manipulative. Things need to be tied up neatly by the end of a novel. I love the idea of your Christmas concert in a church that old! Ohh, the thought gives me the shivers. Merry Christmas!!
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