Cliffhanger
In short: A cliffhanger is a deliberately open, high-tension ending – of a scene, a chapter or an episode – that leaves a question unanswered and makes readers desperate to keep going.
Where the term comes from
The word literally means someone hanging from a cliff. It was coined by an 1873 serial novel in which the hero was left dangling over an abyss at the end of an instalment – and readers had to wait a whole month for the resolution. That is the origin: serial storytelling, released chapter by chapter.
How to use a cliffhanger
Build up, then cut: Take a scene to its most gripping point – a decision, a revelation, a danger – and end the chapter right there.
Leave a real question open: The best cliffhanger is an unresolved „what happens now?“ that genuinely nags at readers – not a cheap trick.
Don't overdo it: If every chapter ends on a cliffhanger, the effect wears off. Use it where it counts.
The payoff must be worth it: What you promise, you must deliver. A disappointed expectation is worse than no tension at all.
Cliffhangers on Fireside
The cliffhanger comes from serial fiction – and that is still where it works best. When you publish your story chapter by chapter, it becomes the engine: your readers wait for the next part, and you get a response after every chapter.
Related terms: Narrative Arc · Turning Point · Pacing · Serial fiction
Frequently asked questions
What is a cliffhanger in simple terms?
A break in the action at the most exciting moment, so you absolutely want to know what happens next.
Where does the cliffhanger come from?
From the serial novels of the 19th century, published chapter by chapter in magazines.
Should every chapter end on a cliffhanger?
No – used too often it loses its power. It is strongest when placed deliberately.