Tips for Creating Suspense in Fiction Novels

When writing suspense there are several things that an author needs to remember. If you want to hook your reader you will need the following things:

1. A secret
2. The right scenery
3. Some uncertainty
4. The roller coaster
5. Reading Pal
6. Writing spots
7. Patience

You need a Secret

Every author needs to withhold something from the reader. This is a vital step to creating suspense. Suppose your novel is about a dog who is frantically searching the yard. Secret: He has two bones buried. The reader shouldn't 't know his secret until absolutely necessary. Let the reader 'assume' something worse or something 'else' at least. Pose questions to the reader--throw them off balance somewhat. Example: "The dog paced, panting. (In Italics) How could this have happened?" The reader wonders 'what's happened? Who or what is the dog looking for?" Torture your reader for as long as you can hold out!

The Right Scenery

If this dog was outside in his perfectly manicured lawn with the sun shining brightly and children bouncing on a trampoline you'd probably guess he was looking for a bone. Many times the background is what will set up your scene without you even knowing it. Now if the sky was brown and the kids absent one might think a tornado is coming and that maybe the dog is looking for one of its family members. How do you create the best background for your character and plot? 1. Use suspenseful music while you write. Music is one doorway that taps into our creativity. Anytime we can use more than one of our five senses we are on the right path! 2. Ask Questions. What would make you nervous to see? You're a human. Readers are too. Use what scares you. 3. Watch suspenseful movies. These are great visual aids that can show you how to structure your novel. 4. Read books with lots of suspense 5. If necessary grab a how to novel and skim over the steps (as a reminder)

Some Uncertainty

While this dog is searching frantically, throw your reader off the trail. Have one of the children scream. The dog must become sidetracked and possibly stressed. Make sure he's torn between the screamer and his mission. Now you have two suspense plots in the works. The reader will always crave more. Unfortunately, even you and I lose interest in material things rather quickly. This is why upgrades and new editions of products and services are so popular. Your reader needs to have many uncertainties (err upgrades). So, while the dog struggles with whether he should investigate the screamer or continue searching have someone chain him up. The reader will have so many questions now! Who screamed? What's he looking for? How will he help the child now that he's tied up?

The Roller Coaster

Think being tied up is bad? How about, the dog slips out of his collar. The child is still screaming. He runs, ears flopping, to the rescue! Only, someone snatches him, tightens his collar, re-chains him and then tells the dog he's going to the pound. WHY!?! At this point in the scene the reader is officially tortured, uncertain, lost in your environment and now dropping thirty feet on a roller coaster of feelings. You've just 'upgraded' again! They're now invested in your story. They are locked in and climbing the track with you. Don't drop your passenger! Keep them thrilled.

Reading Pal

Okay, here's the tricky part. Have someone who hates (yes HATES) your genre of writing listen to you read your scene aloud. Ask them to be brutal. If you can get someone who isn't interested in what you write to be interested--well, you've nailed it! If they stop you mid way, get confused, laugh in serious scene--well, you've got some more work to do! Just remember not to show how emotionally distraught their criticism has made you. Remind yourself that you need them. Stay strong on the outside and put your emotions into your novel. (People can feel raw emotion while they read!)

Writing Spots

Sometimes sitting at your desk or on the couch isn't appropriate. Go to the park, a restaurant or maybe the place that inspired you to begin with! Our brains become bored with the same things over and over. Routine is great for employers not writers. Change it up. A lot. Your novel with reflect these changes and the reader will feel them too.

Patience

Writing a suspenseful scene is like pulling teeth sometimes. Really, the entire story of the dog could be told in two paragraphs or less. But because we've built suspense it's a whole book. If you practice patience with yourself you will be able to build up suspense in your novel. See the following example:

Wrong way: The dog searched the yard for his bone. He watched Jane, his new master, point at the sky. There was a tornado coming! Jane screamed and ran inside. The dog really wanted his bone but Jane was scared so he ran after her.

Why it's wrong:

The dog searched the yard for his bone. (The reader now knows a 'secret' and will become bored quickly if not already.) He watched Jane, his new master, point at the sky. There was a tornado coming! (scenery appears set but the author has given yet another secret away. Needless to say, it lacks suspense and yawn, I'm bored) Jane screamed and ran inside. The dog really wanted his bone but Jane was scared so he ran after her.

Right way: The dog paced, panting. How could this happen? His ears lowered. Jane, his new master, pointed to the sky. "It's brown." She said. "I better go inside."

Jane stumbled.

The dog froze. Was Jane screaming? He kicked his hind legs, angry. The dog whimpered, lowering his head.

Why it's right:

The dog paced, panting. How could this happen? (secret 1, uncertainty, reader is being drawn to the ride now...) His ears lowered. Janie, his new master, pointed to the sky. "It's brown." She said. "I better go inside." (secret 2, more uncertainty, more questions... Reader has sat in his seat and is reaching for his harness.) She stumbled. The dog froze.(more scenery) Was Jane screaming? (secret 3, uncertainty, the ride has begun!) He kicked his hind legs, angry. The dog whimpered, lowering his head. (It's time for them to climb the track and prepare for a drop!)

Hopefully this article has helped you.If you're feeling as if maybe I should've elaborated more then great! I've created suspense within a nonfiction article ;o) (More articles to come!)