Chapter Endings & The Hunger Games

After hearing the buzz for over a year, I finally got to read The Hunger Game by Suzanne Collins.   I have to say, her book really does deserve all the buzz.  But the one thing that really impressed me was the way she managed to end each chapter.  

I would think, I’ll go to sleep when I finish this chapter and then it was impossible to not want to turn the page and keep reading.  You literally will not want to put down the book. 

This is not the easiest thing for a writer to accomplish and even the most recognized novels fall short in this area.  So if it is true that writers can learn by reading other authors books, you really should read this one.

Here are some ways you can choose to end your chapters that should get you audience to turn the page and start reading the next chapter.

• Introduce something that makes the reader want to find out what it is. Example:  The character could find a box and takes off the lid.
• The main character is faced with a conflict at the end of the chapter.
• The main character vows to do something.
• The chapter ends with a shocking event.
• The main character figures out a new way to do things.  He or she has a new idea.
• The chapter end with high emotion.
• You can end the chapter with an unanswered question.
• Introduce something that turns your story upside down.
• End with an unanswered question.
• Try using a mysterious line of dialogue.
• End a chapter with a plot turning point.
• Last week we talked about using metaphors.  You can use a ominous metaphor.  Something that will hint to the reader that something is going to happen.

Talk tomorrow.  Hope you found this helpful. If you have other suggestions on chapter ending, I’d love to hear them and I’m sure others would, too.

Kathy