Suspense essay structure

And this is your first lesson in suspense. Today everyone wants suspense. Writers want suspense in manuscripts they write, agents want suspense in query letters they receive, and readers want suspense in books they buy. In writing industry suspense almost merged with success.

Another element of narrative structure that creates suspense is foreshadowing. Hinting at future developments engages readers’ curiosity, and the more elliptical and teasing you are about what’s to come, the more readers will wonder what the reveal will be.

Character development can create the excitement in the face of uncertainty that makes readers curious. Cliffhangers in suspense writing don’t have to involve actual cliffs. Your main character’s internal conflict can be equally precarious and suspense-creating. Time is another important element of suspense: 4. Use time limitations

On a page in your notebook, write a paragraph (no more than a page) turning your mundane scene into a suspenseful moment. You only have one paragraph and one page, so if there’s something your reader needs to know in order for things to make sense, find clever ways to blend that information into the narrative.