tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post6528670332468010499..comments2024-03-29T10:25:17.813-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: What We're Writing: Chapter Endings by Jenn McKinlayJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-88076617559240764592017-09-18T10:30:44.327-04:002017-09-18T10:30:44.327-04:00Thank you so much, Susan. That's lovely of you...Thank you so much, Susan. That's lovely of you to say.Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214926031147370862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-55810633065424517412017-09-18T10:30:24.042-04:002017-09-18T10:30:24.042-04:00Yes! I do love a good cliffhanger :)Yes! I do love a good cliffhanger :)Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214926031147370862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-78672639955564268532017-09-18T10:05:46.633-04:002017-09-18T10:05:46.633-04:00Didn't make it to the blog yesterday, but coul...Didn't make it to the blog yesterday, but couldn't pass the opportunity to say how much I enjoyed the excerpt. I really enjoy your Library Lovers series, Jenn!Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08292993485984273172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-7693315739249145892017-09-17T20:21:17.770-04:002017-09-17T20:21:17.770-04:00Every time i've read one of those books I'...Every time i've read one of those books I've pictured Stony Creek, or the Thimble Islands!<br /><br />Looking forward to more of them!<br /><br />DebRo Deb Romanohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01650858888197217258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-28867359968346332972017-09-17T19:19:27.604-04:002017-09-17T19:19:27.604-04:00Late in the day hurrah for a great cliff-hanger!!!...Late in the day hurrah for a great cliff-hanger!!! Denise Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02790883493798517829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-71283026263790853802017-09-17T18:49:53.568-04:002017-09-17T18:49:53.568-04:00Exactly! So they can be little cliffs. Or coming t...Exactly! So they can be little cliffs. Or coming to a cliff. Or worrying about a cliff. Wait--we need Cliff Notes!<br /><br />YOur post is so thought-provoking..and perfect timing for me! xoxoHank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-87616792969469435312017-09-17T17:16:28.731-04:002017-09-17T17:16:28.731-04:00Me, too. I'll peek and if it's too intense...Me, too. I'll peek and if it's too intense, I'll put it down, knowing I'm going o be sucked in and should wait but I will keep thinking about it, too.Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214926031147370862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-62519129498465965372017-09-17T17:15:35.504-04:002017-09-17T17:15:35.504-04:00LOL, Jim, I agree. That seems like it would be exh...LOL, Jim, I agree. That seems like it would be exhausting for reader and writer!Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214926031147370862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-76920142920640730502017-09-17T17:14:57.593-04:002017-09-17T17:14:57.593-04:00That is brilliant, Ingrid. A novel approach (forgi...That is brilliant, Ingrid. A novel approach (forgive me!). I'll have to try that one of these days. I do seem preoccupied with chapter endings and keeping them interesting. Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214926031147370862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-4644005661929090522017-09-17T17:13:03.536-04:002017-09-17T17:13:03.536-04:00Yes, it is, Deborah. I used to live in Branford an...Yes, it is, Deborah. I used to live in Branford and my mother's family is from Stony Creek - that quirky little village - I miss it. This book will be out in Nov 2018 since DEATH IN THE STACKS is Nov 2017. I love the idea of calm chapter endings and chaotic chapter beginnings - nice twist!Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214926031147370862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-82632940777335516362017-09-17T17:10:50.003-04:002017-09-17T17:10:50.003-04:00Yes! And sometimes I feel as if my chapter goes on...Yes! And sometimes I feel as if my chapter goes on and on and finding the natural ending is near impossible -- always helpful to have a body spring up then. LOL.Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214926031147370862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-62807856062941991502017-09-17T17:09:55.250-04:002017-09-17T17:09:55.250-04:00There are definitely levels of cliff hanger. I thi...There are definitely levels of cliff hanger. I think you can only get away with a few big ones but still every chapter ending needs to keep the interest piqued.Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214926031147370862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-85608271766811078482017-09-17T17:09:07.795-04:002017-09-17T17:09:07.795-04:00Agreed, Flora. Even if I'm just emotionally in...Agreed, Flora. Even if I'm just emotionally invested in the character that can be enough to lure me back.Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214926031147370862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-83765669129077858512017-09-17T17:08:20.028-04:002017-09-17T17:08:20.028-04:00Yes, it's a tightrope walk to remain authentic...Yes, it's a tightrope walk to remain authentic and interesting.Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214926031147370862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-1944076723184300622017-09-17T17:07:38.218-04:002017-09-17T17:07:38.218-04:00Exactly, Hallie! I'm always afraid if a reader...Exactly, Hallie! I'm always afraid if a reader closes the book and shuts out the light they'll never open it again.Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214926031147370862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-86479715601524973352017-09-17T17:06:53.909-04:002017-09-17T17:06:53.909-04:00Yes, I agree. I thin a "cliffhanger" can...Yes, I agree. I thin a "cliffhanger" can easily be a provoking idea or thought.Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214926031147370862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-54103684045007341532017-09-17T15:33:01.966-04:002017-09-17T15:33:01.966-04:00I've noticed the authors who end with cliffhan...I've noticed the authors who end with cliffhangers like this vs. those who end at the end of a scene. And some are in between - some cliffhangers but some natural scene breaks. As a reader, I still like to end with a chapter break. I'm a bit OCD about stuff like that. But if it is too bad a cliffhanger, I'll read the first couple of pages of the next chapter before I stop.Mark Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11567392254011373198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-45436457347981149222017-09-17T12:54:48.929-04:002017-09-17T12:54:48.929-04:00I've been seeing a trend in recent years towar...I've been seeing a trend in recent years toward much shorter chapters, with each one containing one scene rather than several. It seems this would put more pressure on the author to keep finding little cliffs to hang us over. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-85395144184928332017-09-17T11:48:33.560-04:002017-09-17T11:48:33.560-04:00What Hank said. I don't think of cliffhangers...What Hank said. I don't think of cliffhangers so much as shifts; something that we thought was certain isn't certain anymore.<br /><br />Here's the thing, though: I don't break my manuscript into chapters until right before I send it to my agent and editor. I write the book as scenes and then carve the chapters out. I do this because I found that I was too concerned with cliffhangers and chapter length, and it interfered with the actual story. Now I just write the story in scenes and worry about chapters at the very end of the process.<br /><br />Loved reading your excerpt, Jenn!Ingrid Thofthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04063912686011336076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-23979520136767529142017-09-17T11:35:29.622-04:002017-09-17T11:35:29.622-04:00Right now I can't remember who it is, but one ...Right now I can't remember who it is, but one author whose books I read religiously ends chapters on a calm note.Then on the first page of the next chapter, all hell breaks loose. <br /><br />I love it.<br /><br />But really, if the story is compelling, I don't think it matters if the chapter ending is a cliffhanger or if it's the calm before the storm.<br /><br />Jenn, when is this book going to be available? You have hooked me! Also, ever since you joined JRW I've been wanting to ask if Briar Creek is loosely based on Stony Creek. (I live in Milford.)<br /><br />DebRo Deb Romanohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01650858888197217258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-56779746301484603142017-09-17T11:11:47.153-04:002017-09-17T11:11:47.153-04:00Gigi - I have come to enjoy babies and children bu...Gigi - I have come to enjoy babies and children but I remember when I was shifted to the Children's dept at the library my response was, "But I don't like children." HR had no response to that - LOL - and they moved me anyway! Which turned out be awesome but still.Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214926031147370862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-17834993506824716292017-09-17T11:07:58.504-04:002017-09-17T11:07:58.504-04:00I think there can be too many cliffhangers, Jenn. ...I think there can be too many cliffhangers, Jenn. If there is a natural moment of suspense I love it but I try to make chapters end when it feels right, not break off in the middle of an interaction or action.Authorrhysbowen@gmail.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11844065473614874365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-58375862831163052342017-09-17T11:03:19.344-04:002017-09-17T11:03:19.344-04:00This is so fascinating...and I was just talking wi...This is so fascinating...and I was just talking with a pal about this! I think a BIG cliffhanger at the end of every chapter winds up being contrived and predictable. (I know this is not what you're talking about!) Forgive the clunky examples, but I said I thought a good chapter ending can be any number of compelling things: Like: someone gets an idea. ("Oh, now I know what to do.") Or an interruption--phone rings, doorbell, alarm clock deadline. A decision is about to be made. ("One of you has to be fired." "I have something to tell you.") A philosophical/momentous emotion question: "Is everything I believed wrong?" "What if she's innocent?") Or, for want of a better description, a quiet moment. "As the darkness surrounded me, I realized it didn't matter what I wanted." Or--uncertainty. A question. "I narrowed my eyes, trying to see over the heads of the crowd. Was that him?")<br />I love chapter endings...and agree, sometimes cutting off a last explanatory paragraph is miraculous. I thnk about his all the time.<br /><br />In my new book, the first three chapter ending lines:<br />1. Of course they're not here to thank me.<br />2. "We're about to hear the opening statement from District Attorney Royal Spofford." <br />3. "it proves the monster is guilty as hell."<br /><br />Now I'm obsessed with this. Hmmm.<br />Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-12464272171832413252017-09-17T10:37:32.356-04:002017-09-17T10:37:32.356-04:00I have done that! Usually when I just want to go t...I have done that! Usually when I just want to go to bed myself- LOL!Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214926031147370862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-63852671927005500292017-09-17T10:35:34.636-04:002017-09-17T10:35:34.636-04:00I love that! Brilliant! Thank you, Pam. I see grea...I love that! Brilliant! Thank you, Pam. I see great things ahead for you as a writer!Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214926031147370862noreply@blogger.com