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To: carton253
Starting and ending chapters was never really a problem for me. The progression of the story dictated when characters and events entered. Say, when another missing child's body was discovered. Tension and character information was built throughout the chapter until it either came to the body or the possible location of it. Searchers yelling, 'we found something.' The answer on who or what they found wouldn't come until the chapter after next. Would it be the corpse of a child or just a rotting animal carcass.

Your 'cliffhanger.'

301 posted on 04/12/2007 8:02:17 AM PDT by processing please hold (Duncan Hunter '08) (ROP and Open Borders-a terrorist marriage and hell's coming with them)
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To: processing please hold
Wow... that is great that you aren't challenged by chapters. I am so envious. :>)

Not all chapters end in cliff hangers though. Or should they?

In reality, an author can end a chapter anywhere they want. Just hit page break and move on. The author I'm reading right now seems has maybe 5 in her 600 page novel.

And as we structure our novels... are there unwritten rules or hidden roadmaps? Any hints on what would make a great chapter that does not end with the "cliffhanger."

For me, the cliffhanger is the easiest to write. But, the others... a little tougher.

303 posted on 04/12/2007 8:11:46 AM PDT by carton253 (Not enough space to express how I truly feel.)
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