Monday 14 September 2009

Creating Suspense

Useful ways to create suspense:
1) Weather: storm clouds, flash of lightning, distant thunder suggest something will happen
2) Objects that cover other objects: closed curtains, tarp covering something, folding screen, partially opened door, shadow...
3) Internal sensation: shows your character feels the anticipation. Your character pulls up her collar, pats her pocket to make sure she's got her mace or pocket knife, or she feels her scalp prickle.
4) Something is just not quite right: phone off the hook, broken window, a single shoe, water left running in the sink...
 
Use these techniques in your book.
If you want to be a better mystery writer, read this book:

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