![]() ![]() ![]() In To Kill A Mockingbird, there are two arcs of narrative suspense: 1) the question of what will happen to Tom Robinson, and 2) the suspense surrounding the mysterious Boo Radley. With that in mind, temper this pressure with character development, non-suspenseful plot progression, or even a different suspense arc, as in the example below. But you also don’t want to overwhelm your reader the constant pressure of an impending reveal can make them feel overly anxious as well as impatient. When constructing this kind of suspense, you want to continuously hint at its resolution. However, that means the payoff has to be huge - if you’re going to tease readers for 300 pages, you need an incredible ending! This is part of why suspenseful stories often culminate in a plot twist or big reveal (or both, as in the arc of Amy’s disappearance in Gone Girl). Well-written narrative suspense makes it nearly impossible for readers to put down your book. In narrative suspense, you pose a question, problem, or mystery at the book’s beginning, divulge more about it as the plot progresses, and wrap it up near the climax or ending. While technically any literary suspense might be described as “narrative,” this refers to tension that builds throughout the entire story. ![]() The first engages the reader with the central issue of the narrative, while the second keeps them intrigued minute to minute. While suspense is most frequently employed in mysteries and thrillers, it should be present in every work of fiction - curiosity is what compels readers to finish your book! However, the amount and type of suspense you use depends on exactly what you want your reader to experience.Ĭlick to tweet! The 5 types of suspense (with examples)įirst of all, there are two types of suspense to know in terms of story structure: narrative suspense and short-term suspense. Build up to a twist and make it more powerful.Conceal answers you don’t want to give away.Heighten tension during a dramatic scene.You might create suspense around anything that stokes readers’ curiosity, whether it’s a love triangle or a killer on the loose. Suspense is the tension a reader feels when they're not sure what will happen in a story - either during a single scene/chapter or throughout its overall arc. (See, we’re creating suspense already!)Ĭheck out the 50 best suspense books of all time over at Reedsy Discovery! What is literary suspense? This thorough guide will give you all the information you need… and more. But just what is suspense in literature, and how can you weave that gripping tension into your own stories? Suspenseful stories depend on these very same traits in a reader. They say curiosity killed the cat - but satisfaction brought it back. ![]()
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