Ever finished writing a chapter and felt that something was… missing? Perhaps the scene wrapped up too neatly, or there wasn’t enough tension to make your readers desperate to keep reading. That’s where a cliffhanger can transform your storytelling. Ending a chapter with a cliffhanger is one of the most powerful storytelling techniques. Whether you’re writing a thriller, fantasy, or romance, a well-placed cliffhanger keeps readers hooked, turning pages late into the night. It creates suspense, builds momentum and makes your story addictive. Today at What We Writing, we’re breaking down how to end a chapter with a chapter that truly lands – without feeling forced or gimmicky. You’ll discover practical techniques, see examples in action, and discover how to use cliffhangers to boost pacing and reader engagement across any genre.
What Is A Cliffhanger?
So, what is a cliffhanger exactly?
A cliffhanger is a storytelling technique where a scene, often at the end of a chapter or episode, cuts off at a moment of high tension or uncertainty. The goal? To leave the audience desperate to know what happens next. It’s the literary equivalent of hanging someone off the edge of a cliff – figuratively or literally – and then fading to black.
Cliffhangers work so well because they tap into our natural need for resolution. When a character is in danger, a secret is brought to light, or a major twist lands right before a scene ends, it triggers curiosity, emotion, and urgency. Readers keep turning pages not only because they want to, but because they have to know more.
This is a technique that has been used for centuries. From serial fiction in Victorian newspapers (looking at you, Dickens) to modern TV dramas, crime novels, and epic fantasies, cliffhangers are a favourite tool for storytellers looking to build suspense and maintain momentum. They create addictive narratives that keep readers or viewers coming back for more.
You’ll find different types of cliffhangers in fiction – from the sudden arrival of a mysterious character to shocking confessions to a life-or-death dilemma. No matter the form, their purpose remains the same: to make your story so compelling it can’t be put down.
When (And When Not) To Use A Cliffhanger
While a well-placed cliffhanger can be a powerful tool, not every chapter needs one, and overusing them can actually work against you.
Cliffhangers are most effective when used strategically, not automatically. A chapter doesn’t have to end in chaos or suspense to keep the reader hooked. Sometimes, a quiet emotional beat, a moment of reflection, or a natural transition is precisely what the story requires.
It All Comes Down to Pacing
Think of pacing in writing like rhythm in music. If every beat is a dramatic drum crash, the intensity loses its impact. Cliffhangers spike the tension, but too many in a row can cause reader fatigue. They can begin to feel formulaic or manipulative, particularly if they’re not earned through solid storytelling.
Instead, consider the ebb and flow of your chapters. Use cliffhangers at key moments when you truly want to jolt the reader along – then balance them with chapters that offer resolution, character development, or emotional breathing space.
What Genres Benefit Most?
Certain genres thrive on cliffhangers. If you’re writing in one of these, readers might even expect them:
- Thrillers & Crime: To raise stakes, escalate danger, and create page-turning tension.
- Fantasy & Sci-Fi: To cut away mid-battle, introduce a twist, or reveal shocking world lore.
- Romance: To leave a love confession dangling or end a chapter mid-argument or near-kiss.
- Young Adult: To maintain momentum and keep readers emotionally engaged.
On the flip side, literary fiction or slow-paced genres may rely less on cliffhangers and more on thematic or emotional resonance. In these instances, the best chapter endings might not leave you hanging but thinking.
Ask yourself before using one:
- Is the cliffhanger adding tension, or just padding the suspense?
- Does it make sense for the character or plot at this moment?
- Will readers feel satisfied by the eventual payoff?
Use cliffhangers effectively by choosing moments that genuinely enhance the reading experience, not just moments that chase a reaction.
How To End A Chapter With A Cliffhanger
There are many ways to keep readers hanging on your every word, but here are five of our most effective chapter-ending techniques. Each one builds tension in its own way – and all are proven methods when learning how to write a cliffhanger that works.
1. Introduce a Shocking Revelation
Few things make a reader turn the page faster than a sudden truth that upends everything.
Example:
“He wasn’t her brother. He never had been.”
Dropping a revelation at the end of a chapter forces the audience to reassess everything they thought they knew – and to keep reading to witness the fallout. This technique is great for thrillers, mysteries, or any genre where secrets slowly unravel. Just be sure that the reveal is meaningful and grounded in the story’s emotional or narrative stakes.
2. Leave a Critical Question Answered
Ending a chapter with an unanswered question creates a natural sense of suspense. The key is to plant a high-stakes question – one that needs to be answered.
Example:
“He opened the door – and froze. What was she doing here?”
When used effectively, this technique teases just enough to conjure a sense of urgency without needing explosions or drama. It’s subtle but powerful. Works particularly well in romance, drama, and psychological fiction, where emotional tension drives the story forward.
3. Interrupt an Important Moment
One of the most classic cliffhanger examples is cutting away just as something important is happening – leaving the outcome up in the air.
Example:
“The gun fired. Everything went black.”
Interrupting a moment of action or confrontation pulls the reader into the scene – and then cruelly yanks them back out. Done well, it keeps your pacing electric. This is a popular tool in action, thriller, and fantasy stories where danger and drama are front and centre.
4. Show a Character in Danger or Crisis
Ending a chapter with a character in immediate peril is one of the most reliable cliffhanger writing techniques. It doesn’t always have to mean physical danger – it can be emotional or social as well.
Examples:
- “She couldn’t breathe. The panic was setting in.”
- “He looked at her. “I saw what you did.”
Putting a character in crisis makes your readers worry for them, and worry is one of the most effective tools in fiction.
5. Hint at a Secret or Twist to Come
You don’t always need to reveal everything. Sometimes, just hinting is enough to spark curiosity.
Example:
“Behind the photograph, something was taped to the back. Something she hadn’t seen in twenty years.”
This method is ideal for slow-burn genres – especially mysteries, horror, or literary fiction – where mood and atmosphere are crucial. It invites the reader to guess, speculate, and wonder.
This is one of the most subtle but effective ways to end a chapter – a nudge toward what’s lurking beneath the surface.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
While cliffhangers can be incredibly effective, they can also backfire if they’re not used correctly. Here are three of the most common mistakes writers make when trying to end a chapter with a cliffhanger – and how to avoid doing the same.
Overusing Cliffhangers
If every single chapter concludes with a life-or-death moment or a shocking reveal, readers may begin to feel emotionally manipulated. Cliffhangers should feel like a natural spike in the story’s rhythm, not a gimmick.
Tip: Use cliffhangers strategically. Mix them with quieter chapter endings that focus on emotional resolution or reflection to keep your pacing dynamic and meaningful.
Making Them Feel Cheap Or Unearned
A cliffhanger only works if it’s rooted in the plot and character development. Throwing in a twist that has no setup – or feels like it came out of nowhere – can frustrate readers instead of hooking them.
Tip: Build toward your cliffhanger. Even if the moment is surprising, it should feel inevitable in hindsight. Foreshadow. Lay tension. Let it pay off.
Not Resolving Them In Time
One of the biggest turn-offs is when a cliffhanger lingers for too long without a satisfying resolution. If you drop a major question or life-threatening situation but don’t address it for chapters, your story can lose momentum and credibility.
Tip: Follow through. If you conclude Chapter 10 with a huge moment, ensure Chapter 11 or 12 delivers on that promise. Cliffhangers are only as powerful as their payoffs.
Wrap Up
A well-crafted cliffhanger can be the secret ingredient that transforms a good story into a compulsively readable one. Whether it’s a shocking revelation, a lingering question, or a moment of unresolved danger, ending a chapter on a cliffhanger keeps readers invested – and turning the pages deep into the night.
But remember: cliffhangers are most powerful when they are used with intention. It’s not about tricking your reader – it’s about deepening their investment in the story.
So here’s your challenge:
Try ending your next chapter with one of the techniques we’ve covered here. Then, reread it and notice how it changes your pacing, energy, and momentum. You may just find the spark your story needs.
And, if you’ve already used a killer cliffhanger in your writing, share it with us in the comments! We’d love to see how you keep your audience on the edge of their seats.
Check Out Our Guide To Writing First Chapters
