Suspense 101 Definition and Tips for Building Heart-Stopping Narratives

Suspense 101 Definition and Tips for Building Heart-Stopping Narratives What Is Suspense in Literature? They say curiosity killed the cat - but satisfaction brought it back. Suspenseful stories depend on these very same traits in a reader. But just what is suspense in literature, and how can you weave that gripping tension into your own stories?This thorough guide will give you all the information you need†¦ and more. (See, we’re creating suspense already!)Check out the 50 best suspense books of all time over at Reedsy Discovery!What is literary suspense?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. You might create suspense around anything that stokes readers’ curiosity, whether it’s a love triangle or a killer on the loose.You can use suspense in a story to:Heighten tension during a dramatic sceneConceal answers you don’t want to give awayBuild up to a twist and make it more powerfulKeep your reader turning the pages!While suspense is mos t 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. Learn all about literary suspense and how to create it in your novel! The 5 types of suspense (with examples)First of all, there are two types of suspense to know in terms of story structure: narrative suspense and short-term suspense. The first engages the reader with the central issue of the narrative, while the second keeps them intrigued minute to minute. A good novel has both.1. Narrative (long-term) suspenseWhile technically any literary suspense might be described as â€Å"narrative,† this refers to tension that builds throughout the entire story. 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.Well-written narrative suspense makes it nearly impossible for readers to put down your book. 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 (o r both, as in the arc of Amy’s disappearance in Gone  Girl).When constructing this kind of suspense, you want to continuously hint at its resolution. 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. 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.Example of narrative/long-term suspenseIn 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. Both issues are introduced near the beginning, gain traction throughout the story, and eventually collide at the end, when Boo Radley saves the kids from Bob Ewell after the Robinson trial.Having more than one arc of narrative suspense keeps the reader invested and gives the story added layers of dep th. You can also accomplish these goals by using short-term suspense, which we’ll discuss in our next section.What's the best suspense you've ever read (or written)? What are your tips for recreating it? Let us know in the comments below!