All this week, we have been studying the storytelling and plotting technique of cliffhangers. The best cliffhangers withhold key information from the reader or hold off on resolving the conflict in an unexpected way. It's a powerful tool for keeping readers engaged, creating tension, and building anticipation for the next installment.
There's no better example of the cliffhanger technique than the ending of Back to the Future Part II. In case you haven't seen it, the movie ends with a stunning twist: the time-traveling DeLorean car is struck by lightning and disappears, leaving Marty McFly stranded in 1955.
This ending was a masterstroke of storytelling, leaving audiences stunned and eager for more. But how did the filmmakers pull it off, and what can we learn from their example as writers?
Here are a few lessons we can take away from Back to the Future Part II and the cliffhanger technique:
Plan ahead: The filmmakers of Back to the Future trilogy didn't just stumble upon this ending by accident. They carefully planned the story arc over three movies, building up to this climactic moment with foreshadowing, hints, and clues. As writers, we need to think ahead, outlining our stories, creating a roadmap of where we want to go, and planting seeds that will pay off later.
Create stakes: A good cliffhanger leaves the audience wondering what will happen next, and why it matters. In "Back to the Future Part II," the stakes are high: The DeLorean has disappeared, Marty is stranded in the past with no way to return home and Doc Brown has been transported to the old west. As writers, we need to create compelling stakes for our characters, raising the stakes and making the audience care about the outcome.
Subvert expectations: The best cliffhangers are unexpected, subverting the audience's expectations and leaving them surprised. In Back to the Future Part II, the disappearance of the DeLorean from the lightning strike was a shocking twist that left audiences reeling. As writers, we need to be willing to take risks, to break the rules, and to surprise our readers with unexpected twists and turns.
Back to the Future Part II is a masterclass in the cliffhanger technique, offering valuable lessons for writers who want to use these techniques in order to keep their readers engaged and eagerly turning the pages. By planning ahead, creating stakes, and subverting expectations, we can craft our own compelling stories that leave audiences on the edge of their seats.
-Andrew
The Indie Author Method
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