Cliffhangers remain one of the most debated storytelling tools in modern fiction. Some readers love them. Some readers hate them. Many readers feel both emotions at once. And authors are often left wondering whether they should lean into cliffhanger endings or avoid them entirely.
So the real question becomes: Do cliffhangers really work?
To find out, WriteStats ran a targeted reader poll in 2025. The results reveal a much clearer picture than anecdotal conversations often suggest. According to the survey, 61.2 percent of readers said cliffhangers keep them hooked, while 37.8 percent said they feel annoyed but curious, and a small portion said they stop reading the series altogether.
These numbers show that cliffhangers are far from a universal crowd pleaser, yet they remain one of the most effective tools for increasing reader engagement when used strategically. The truth is that most readers stay with the story even when they are frustrated, and many are more emotionally invested because of the unresolved tension.
This blog breaks down why these reactions occur, how to understand reader psychology behind cliffhangers, and how to write a cliffhanger that strengthens your story rather than manipulates your audience. We will use current data, proven storytelling principles, and insights from cognitive research to help authors approach cliffhangers with confidence and craft stories that keep readers turning pages without breaking their trust.
By the end of this article, you will understand exactly how to write a cliffhanger that readers respond to and how to position your narrative to maximize emotional impact and reader retention in 2026 and beyond.
Why Readers Say Cliffhangers Work: Breaking Down the 61.2 Percent
When readers say cliffhangers keep them hooked, they are not referring only to shocking plot twists. They are responding to the psychological experience of unresolved tension. According to the Zeigarnik effect, people remember unfinished or interrupted tasks more clearly than completed ones.
This principle is incredibly useful for authors who want to design narratives that linger in the reader’s mind. When a story leaves a situation unresolved, the brain keeps circling back to it because it wants completion. That sense of incompletion naturally drives curiosity and emotional investment.
Readers who fall into the 61.2 percent category are experiencing this cognitive response. They feel a pull to return to the story because their brain is still working through the open loop. In this way, cliffhangers tap into a hardwired tendency to seek resolution.
Yet the effect is not only psychological. It is also emotional.
Readers who enjoy cliffhangers often report feelings of excitement, anticipation, and narrative urgency. These emotions help deepen their bond with the characters and increase their commitment to the story. Our previous WriteStats report, ‘Why Readers Cry, Laugh, and Re-Read,‘ demonstrates how emotional activation increases memory and engagement.
Cliffhangers activate exactly these emotional pathways when they are used skillfully.
What this means for authors
Readers expect emotional arcs. They stay for the tension. They crave the sense of momentum that pulls them into the next chapter or book. When deciding how to write a cliffhanger that appeals to this majority group, focus on emotional continuity rather than shock. You want the reader to feel anticipation, not bewilderment.
Here are three methods that align with the preferences of this group:
- Method one: End at the peak of an emotional or moral decision point instead of at a random moment in the action.
- Method two: Resolve the immediate conflict but introduce a new layer of unresolved tension that shifts the story direction.
- Method three: Reveal new information that reframes the stakes without contradicting what the reader already knows.
Readers who enjoy cliffhangers want continuity and escalation, not confusion or chaos.
The Power of Annoyed but Curious Readers: Why 37.8 Percent Still Keep Turning Pages
This second group is fascinating because they demonstrate the paradox at the heart of cliffhangers. They feel frustrated, yet they keep reading. They do not love the unresolved tension, but they are not willing to abandon the story either.
From a behavioral science perspective, moderate frustration can actually increase attention. A report from the American Psychological Association explains that emotional discomfort often intensifies cognitive engagement, especially when the discomfort is paired with curiosity.
Curiosity and annoyance share similar neural activation pathways when the brain encounters an unresolved informational gap. This means when readers describe themselves as annoyed but curious, they are experiencing a blend of tension and intrigue. The tension creates discomfort, and the intrigue pulls them forward.
Why this reaction is incredibly powerful for authors
Readers who feel annoyed but curious are among the most dedicated readers you can have. They often read series in large quantities at once. They talk about the book to friends. They analyze character motivations. They write reviews that begin with phrases like I hated that ending, but I had to know what happened next.
This is also the audience most likely to stick with a long series because they have already invested emotionally. They dislike the feeling of being left hanging, yet they care deeply enough about the characters or plot to continue anyway.
What this means for authors
When learning how to write a cliffhanger for this group, the key is to respect their emotional investment. They want payoff. They want reassurance that the unresolved moment is meaningful and not merely a tactic to force them into buying the next book.
This means:
- Give this group clarity at the beginning of the next chapter or book.
- Avoid cliffhangers that erase character growth or emotional progress.
- Avoid cliffhangers that depend entirely on withholding information that the character realistically should know.
Readers do not mind tension. They mind dishonesty. The annoyed but curious group will tolerate frustration as long as they feel the story is honoring their emotional time.
Why a Small Percentage of Readers Leave After a Cliffhanger
Even though the percentage is small, it is important to understand why some readers abandon a story after a cliffhanger. Readers who leave usually fall into one of three categories:
- Category one: Readers who prefer resolution over tension.
- Category two: Readers who follow a series casually and do not feel invested enough to continue after a dramatic end.
- Category three: Readers who dislike cliffhangers that feel manipulative rather than narratively driven.
According to a study from the Journal of Consumer Psychology, people are more likely to abandon a product or experience when they feel the creator artificially restricts access to information.
This phenomenon also applies to storytelling. If a reader senses that an author is using a cliffhanger as a pressure tactic rather than a natural part of the story’s structure, they may disengage.
What this means for authors
You cannot please every reader. The goal is not to eliminate reader abandonment entirely because preferences vary widely across audiences.
Instead, focus on controlling the reader’s perception of the cliffhanger.
Cliffhangers that work well feel like an organic continuation of the narrative arc. They do not contradict established motivations. They do not rely on forced misunderstandings. They do not depend on an unrealistic lack of communication between characters. And most importantly, they do not feel like a trick.
Readers will trust you as long as you honor the structure and emotional truth of the story.
Do Cliffhangers Really Work: Understanding the Psychology of Suspense
Now that we understand reader reactions, it is time to connect those reactions to neuroscience and narrative design. Suspense is one of the most researched emotions in both storytelling and cognitive science.
A study published by Frontiers in Psychology shows that suspense increases emotional arousal, which strengthens memory retention and engagement.
This explains why readers remember stories with strong cliffhangers more vividly. Suspense activates the brain’s reward system, encouraging repeated engagement. When tension builds and the resolution is delayed, the brain anticipates the payoff, which heightens focus and motivation.
How this connects to your writing
When thinking about how to write a cliffhanger, your goal is not simply to shock the reader. It is to create an emotional bridge that carries them into the next part of the story.
To do this effectively:
- Step one: Build emotional stakes early in the chapter.
- Step two: Introduce tension that challenges the character’s internal or external goals.
- Step three: Interrupt the arc at a precise moment where the reader anticipates a transformation or revelation.
- Step four: Deliver the payoff immediately or early in the following chapter or book.
Cliffhangers are an art of interruption, not an art of surprise.
Do Cliffhangers Really Work When Overused?
Authors often worry that too many cliffhangers will frustrate readers. This concern is valid, but data suggests something more nuanced.
According to a Nielsen BookScan report on series fiction, readers who complete book one in a multi-book series are significantly more likely to buy the rest of the series if book one ends with unresolved narrative momentum. This does not necessarily require a cliffhanger, but it does require narrative propulsion.
This shows that cliffhangers are not the issue. Tone and execution are what matter.
When learning how to write a cliffhanger without exhausting the reader, remember these three guidelines:
- Vary the intensity of your cliffhangers. Not every chapter needs a dramatic reveal.
- Combine emotional resolution with plot tension so readers feel grounded even when events remain unresolved.
- Give readers small wins throughout the narrative so they do not feel emotionally drained.
If you balance these elements, readers will feel excitement rather than fatigue.
The Difference Between a Good Cliffhanger and a Manipulative Cliffhanger
A good cliffhanger resolves one arc while opening another. It creates both satisfaction and anticipation. It feels like a natural progression of the story.
A manipulative cliffhanger interrupts a moment only for shock value. It halts the story arbitrarily. It hides information the protagonist realistically should have. It withholds resolution without offering emotional or narrative justification.
Manipulative cliffhangers break reader trust. Once that trust is broken, even a well-crafted story can lose momentum.
Our WriteStats study on endings, Are Authors Writing the Endings Readers Want, shows clearly that readers value emotional honesty even more than plot satisfaction.
This principle applies equally to cliffhangers. Readers will tolerate unresolved tension, but they will not tolerate emotional dishonesty.
How to Write a Cliffhanger Your Readers Will Love
Now that you understand the psychology, the preferences, and the pitfalls, we can break down a practical framework for how to write a cliffhanger that actually strengthens your story.
This framework consists of six steps:
Step One: Anchor the reader emotionally before you interrupt the arc
Readers need emotional grounding before the tension spikes. Establish the character’s internal conflict and create empathy that makes the stakes meaningful.
Step Two: Build a clear line of tension through the chapter
The tension should rise gradually and naturally. Sudden artificial conflict feels contrived and breaks immersion.
Step Three: Interrupt the scene at the exact moment of decision
A cliffhanger should occur at the moment where the reader is asking a question. It does not have to be a high action moment. A question about a relationship or a moral dilemma can be just as effective as a physical threat.
Step Four: Deliver immediate clarity at the beginning of the next scene or book
This is the most misunderstood element. A cliffhanger is not a mystery. It is a pause. Resolve the tension quickly in the continuation so the reader feels rewarded for their anticipation.
Step Five: Use emotional payoff to validate the cliffhanger
After the resolution, give the reader something satisfying that reinforces the emotional stakes.
Step Six: Layer your cliffhangers across both plot and character arcs
Your story should contain micro cliffhangers within chapters and macro cliffhangers across the series. This layered approach keeps readers engaged without overwhelming them.
Examples: Do Cliffhangers Really Work in Popular Fiction
To illustrate how cliffhangers operate in practice, we can look at recent popular titles and trends:
Romantasy series rely heavily on cliffhangers because they mix emotional stakes with fantasy conflict. The success of titles like Fourth Wing shows how unresolved emotional storylines can drive reader enthusiasm across multiple books.
Mystery and thriller fiction uses cliffhangers at the end of chapters to propel readers forward. The key is to reveal clues in increments so the reader feels rewarded.
Young adult fiction often uses cliffhangers to emphasize emotional transformation moments. YA readers respond strongly to unresolved personal dilemmas because they mirror real world developmental experiences.
Across genres, the evidence is clear. Cliffhangers work when they add meaning rather than shock.
Do Cliffhangers Really Work for Series Growth?
Cliffhangers can be one of the strongest drivers of series retention. According to a report from Kobo Writing Life, series with strong narrative continuity see significantly higher sell through rates compared to standalone titles.
This does not mean cliffhangers are required, but they do help create narrative momentum that carries readers from book to book. The goal is to create structural continuity rather than dependence.
When planning a series, think of cliffhangers as anchors between books. They signal to the reader that the story continues and that the emotional journey is ongoing. They create expectation and curiosity which increases the likelihood of a reader buying the next installment.
How to Position Cliffhangers to Readers Without Losing Trust
Readers will accept cliffhangers as long as they understand the emotional purpose behind them. Trust is created through consistent character arcs, meaningful tension, and payoff that honors the reader’s time.
Here are a few strategies to maintain reader trust:
- Communicate clearly through genre expectations: Certain genres like fantasy romance naturally signal that cliffhangers may appear.
- Keep promises: If you create a mystery, resolve it. If you create a relationship arc, honor it.
- Provide emotional resolution even when the plot remains open.
- Avoid stacking too many cliffhangers in a row without delivering payoff.
- Offer character stability so readers do not feel lost in the narrative.
If you follow these principles, readers will trust you even when the story leaves them hanging.
How Authors Can Use Cliffhangers Strategically in 2026
Given the rapidly shifting publishing landscape and the rise of marathon reading behaviors, cliffhangers are becoming even more effective in digital formats. Readers who consume books through Kindle Unlimited or serialized platforms tend to expect continuous motion.
Here are strategic ways to use cliffhangers in 2026:
- Use cliffhangers to guide pacing and structure across multi-book arcs.
- Use soft cliffhangers inside chapters to maintain micro tension.
- Use emotional cliffhangers rather than purely plot driven ones to increase resonance.
- Use cliffhangers to strengthen character arcs by highlighting internal conflict.
- Use a mix of resolutions and open loops to keep long-term readers invested.
As hybrid genres continue to grow and reader expectations shift, cliffhangers offer an opportunity to enhance emotional depth and structural cohesion.
Do Cliffhangers Really Work: The Final Verdict
The data is precise. Cliffhangers do work for the majority of readers. They increase emotional engagement. They strengthen narrative memory. They propel readers into the next chapter or book. They activate curiosity and deepen investment.
However, the right question is not whether cliffhangers work. The right question is how to write a cliffhanger that works for your audience, your genre, and your story’s emotional truth.
Cliffhangers are powerful when they serve the narrative. They are frustrating when they serve only the author’s agenda. They are meaningful when used with intention. They are manipulative when used carelessly.
The best stories use cliffhangers as emotional transitions rather than as plot gimmicks.
If you embrace reader psychology, honor emotional arcs, and think strategically about pacing, you can write cliffhangers that satisfy, surprise, and sustain your readers all the way through your series.
That is the art of narrative interruption. That is the craft behind sustained suspense. And that is why cliffhangers remain one of the most powerful tools in the modern author’s toolkit.
In 2026, readers will not only want strong stories. They will want stories that keep them thinking, feeling and turning pages long after the chapter ends. Your cliffhangers can help you deliver exactly that.
