A chapter's ending should be a combination of timing, tension, and storytelling. It CANNOT be abrupt in any circumstances. The ending of a chapter decides whether the reader will move to the next chapter or leave your book in between. Like we watch series, the endings of each episode are perfectly crafted to ensure that the viewer waits for the next episode. This should be your approach while ending a chapter. A chapter's ending needs to engage readers, and as an author, you should take care of your reader engagement. So, let's know how to end a chapter:
Unanswered Questions: If I find a cliffhanger at the end of a chapter, I'll most likely run toward the next one to know what's going to happen. And creating cliffhangers is not that hard. You don't need to create a life-or-death situation every time. Even a little bit of intrigue is enough, but make sure you're hitting the right spot. You can leave a question about the plot twist (don't overdo it), character revelation, an unresolved situation, or anything else that you think can push the reader to the next chapter.
Emotional Highs or Lows: Feelings can be easily remembered, they can even leave a lasting impact. You can consider ending a chapter with an emotion such as joy, despair, hope, or fear. Just write it in a way that stays in the reader's mind.
Introduce New Stakes: Whenever you raise the stakes, increase tension and momentum. You can create a sense of emergency by ending a chapter with new complications. Don't do this with every chapter. Make it something like it is difficult for a reader to leave the story.
Foreshadowing: Sometimes, less is more. You can end a chapter with subtle foreshadowing of what is coming next. It can be as simple as a character's thoughts, a glance at an object, or a comment that the reader may not immediately register but understand later on.
Ending With a Dialogue: A strong dialogue can also be a great way to close a chapter. The spoken word can add intensity. The right piece of dialogue can spark intrigue.
Writing chapter endings is mainly about balance. You don't always need a cliffhanger or a dramatic scene. You just need to keep your reader hooked, even if it is with a simple quote, dialogue, or anything else that you think is relevant.
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