Developing Suspense! Suspense is the nail biting, edge-of-your-seat kind of magic that compels a reader to turn the page, finish the chapter and devour a book!

What does an author have to do to build suspense? In order to build suspense, the author must create some uncertainty, anxiety, doubt and apprehension. The author already knows what is going to happen, who is behind the door, what is making the spooky sound, and to whom the mysterious foot steps belong. The trick is not to give it away too soon!

Note: Suspense isn’t just used in spooky stories. Writers build suspense in many types of stories. A writer might build suspense before happy or exciting moments, too.

An example of how Roald Dahl uses suspense in The BFG. “Suddenly she froze. There was something coming up the street on the opposite side. It was something black…something tall and black…Something very tall and very black and very thin.” -The BFG

How do you build suspense? Here’s an easy trick! One of the easiest, most effective ways to build a sense of suspense is by raising story questions. This can be done in a number of ways, all of which involve “getting inside” the main character’s head and viewing the story situation from the character’s point of view. This enables the reader to wonder along with the main character.

Examples of Raising Story Questions! What was that noise? Was it just the wind or was it something else? (Stating a question the main character is wondering about) “What was that noise?” he whispered. Was it just the wind or was it something else? (Same thing done with dialogue) She wondered if the noise was just the sound of the shutters banging against the house. (A statement of concern, wonder, or worry) “I hope that noise isn’t a ghost,” she whispered. (A statement of hope, but with worry and foreshadowing a problem)

Tease the Reader Some authors build suspense by teasing the reader by holding back some piece of critical information. The author hints at first, without revealing too much. The reader reads on to discover the final clues. “Daniel froze. It loomed over him, at least seven feet of matter brown fur. It snarled and swatted at him with heavy powerful claws. Daniel stared, horrified at its yellowed teeth visible behind its curled-back snout. The beast came closer and closer to him and Daniel backed up, afraid to turn his back for a second.”

Now it’s your turn… If you dare! Write a suspenseful paragraph about what mysterious thing is behind one of these doors.