Nothing makes a story unforgettable like the thrill of suspense. Whether it’s a character in peril, a hidden truth waiting to explode, or a clock ticking down, suspense draws readers in and holds them hostage to the page. But how do you master it? How do you keep readers guessing and clutching your book like it might just escape their hands?
Let’s dive into some universal tips that can turn any scene in any genre into a spine-tingler, keeping readers hooked, engaged, and ever-curious. Because suspense isn’t just for mystery or thriller novels—it’s the secret sauce for all genres.
1. Create Anticipation (And Milk It)
Suspense is often about the not knowing. This is why classic horror movies don’t show the monster right away—they let the terror build, and so should you. As Alfred Hitchcock famously said, “There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it.” Readers want to feel like something is about to happen, but they don’t need to know when.
How to apply this:
- Use short, sharp sentences or breaks to build tension, even in quiet moments. When a character hears a noise at night, let them investigate slowly—every creak, every shadow, every flutter becomes part of the suspense.
- Add foreshadowing that hints but doesn’t reveal. A casual line like, “She felt watched,” can haunt readers for pages.
- Stretch the moments before big events. If a character is about to open a long-locked door, make them hesitate, question, or even second-guess themselves. Every moment adds weight.
This technique works for any genre. Imagine a romance where the two leads are just about to kiss, or a fantasy where the hero is reaching for a powerful, forbidden artifact. Building that moment, holding readers in suspense, pays off in more ways than one.
2. Give Your Readers More Information Than Your Characters Have
Letting the reader in on a secret can be a potent tool for suspense. Imagine watching a movie where you know the hero is walking into a trap—every step, every glance, every decision is laced with tension. Readers love it when they’re in on something the character isn’t.
Stephen King is a master at this. In Misery, we know that protagonist Paul Sheldon’s “number one fan,” Annie Wilkes, is not just an innocent admirer but a dangerously unhinged captor. King allows us to watch as Sheldon slowly realizes his danger, increasing the suspense tenfold.
How to apply this:
- Give the reader clues or pieces of the puzzle that characters might not yet see.
- Use flashbacks or alternate points of view to reveal crucial information. For instance, if your story follows a detective, let the reader glimpse the villain’s plan now and then.
- Let readers experience the villain’s perspective directly. Even just a few lines can set up a situation where readers know more than the heroes—and they’re dying to see how it’ll play out.
3. Create Internal Conflict (Because Sometimes the Enemy Is Within)
An external threat is suspenseful, but an internal struggle can make a scene even more gripping. When a character doubts themselves, or battles conflicting desires, readers get a peek into their mind and heart, feeling the push-and-pull right along with them.
In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry feels the intense pull to track down Sirius Black for revenge, even though he knows it’s dangerous. Readers see his internal struggle with rage, fear, and a sense of justice, creating a suspenseful undercurrent to the whole story.
How to apply this:
- Make your characters want something they know they shouldn’t. For example, your protagonist might long to reveal a secret that could endanger others.
- Use moral dilemmas to heighten tension. A character may face a choice with no clear right answer, and readers will be glued to see which path they choose.
- Let the reader know what’s at stake if the character makes the wrong choice. This adds another layer of suspense as they wonder if their hero will hold strong or succumb to the temptation.
4. Shorten the Distance (But Never Enough)
You know that frustrating moment when a character almost finds out the truth? Or they’re this close to achieving their goal? This is the essence of great suspense: letting characters get close but not quite there, so readers are always left hanging by a thread.
In The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown does this relentlessly. Robert Langdon is constantly one step behind, one clue away from solving the mystery. Brown dangles the solution just out of reach, chapter after chapter, making readers hungry for the next page.
How to apply this:
- Keep your characters on the edge of success. When they seem close, throw in a complication or delay.
- Use cliffhangers! They’re not just for chapter endings. Small cliffhangers—like pausing before a big reveal or shifting to another character’s POV—can keep readers in suspense.
- Give your characters half-solutions. Perhaps they find a partial answer, but it only raises more questions, keeping readers guessing.
5. Embrace the Unpredictable
Suspense is often strongest when it defies expectations. Think of George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones series. By refusing to keep characters “safe” just because they’re fan favorites, he creates genuine suspense. Readers have no idea what will happen, which makes every scene ripe with tension.
How to apply this:
- Build unpredictability into your characters. Maybe your hero has a short temper, or your villain a soft spot for kittens.
- Use red herrings or subplots to distract readers. If they’re focused on one mystery, they won’t see the twist coming.
- Take risks with your plot. Let the bad guys win sometimes or introduce an unexpected ally. Readers will keep turning pages, eager to see what comes next.
Wrapping Up
So, there you have it: five ways to inject heart-pounding, spine-tingling suspense into your writing. Whether you’re spinning a sci-fi thriller or a romance novel, remember that suspense is about keeping readers in that thrilling state of not knowing—yet desperately wanting to. As the master of suspense himself, Edgar Allan Poe, once wrote, “Words have no power to impress the mind without the exquisite horror of their reality.” Give readers a taste of that exquisite horror, and they’ll be hooked.
So go ahead, play with their nerves a little. After all, a little suspense never hurt anyone… right?